HOW TO DRAW LEAVES ON A TREE?
Drawing leaves on a tree can seem intimidating but don’t let it daunt you–it’s really not that hard! All it takes is a little practice and patience, and soon you’d be able to paint a truly captivating natural landscape. Here are a few simple tips and tricks to help you get started.
Start with a Rough Sketch
Before you dive into painting, all great works of art start with a rough sketch that captures the initial idea. Similarly, for this endeavor, start by roughly sketching out the image of the tree and its leaves. The sketch does not need to be perfect but should be close to what you have in mind. Once that’s done, erase any pencil lines that you don’t want in the finished product.
Pick out Color Palettes
When it comes to leaf painting, color palettes can make or break the painting. Pick out a color scheme that you’d like to use. For example you might use the classic greens, yellows, oranges and browns to simulate the changing of Fall. Before you start painting, be sure to have your color palettes laid out near you so you can quickly and easily grab the color as you need.
Start to Paint the Leaves
Now that you actually start to paint, select the brush that you’d like to use. Begin with the lightest shade, and paint one side of a leaf. Let that dry, then add the darker shades on the other side of the leaves for contrast. You don’t necessarily have to paint each and every leaf but paint enough so that there’s no large patches of the empty canvas showing.
Let it Dry and Add Detail
Once the basic shapes are in place, let the paint dry and then begin to add the finer details. Use contrasting colors to create interest, and use a brush with a thinner tip to make the details more precise. Feel free to be creative with your detailing. You could add little veins, stippling or shading to make the leaves more realistic.
Finish off with Highlights
Highlights can bring life to any painting and make it shine. Select a lighter shade of green and paint the tops of the leaves. It’s best to use the edge of a clean, flat brush so the highlights come out with a soft edge. You could also use shades of yellow and orange to represent the changing of autumn.
Drawing leaves can be an incredibly rewarding experience. Make sure to practice patience, and understand that it takes time for a painting to come together. Relax and enjoy the process, and happy painting!
