Draw Better Trees

Trees are mesmerizing. They tower above us, sheltering birds, bearing fruit, providing shade, and growing in what seems like an endless variety of shapes and sizes. But all those branches, leaves, textures, and patterns can also make them feel a little overwhelming to draw. So what’s the best way to approach them?

In this video, I share 8 tips I use when sketching and painting trees. Understanding a little about how trees grow, the basic forms they can be simplified into, and how to suggest their character without drawing every single pine needle, leaf, or branch can make the process feel much more manageable.

The goal isn’t to capture every detail. It’s to notice the patterns and structures that make a tree feel believable, then use those observations to draw with more clarity and confidence.

I also made a free Tree Drawing Tip Sheet to help you remember all 8 tips. It’s designed as a two page guide that can be printed front and back on a single sheet of paper. Keep it at your desk or tuck it into your sketchbook as a quick reminder of what to look for the next time you draw trees.

Get the Tree Drawing Tip Sheet

Happy sketching,

Katy