When we’re young we draw shorthand trees, a child’s green lollipop on a brown stick. When you look around with the intention to really see, you’ll find many different shapes even within the same species. That’s one thing that makes trees a favorite subject: they’re always beautiful and challenging.
Trees of some sort are present in almost any landscape you may encounter. You’ll find pine trees, palms, apple trees, cedars, hardy oaks, tall poplars or graceful willows. As you look carefully at each one, you’ll see how the individual shapes and foliage tell us the tree’s identity, as well as something of its growing needs or condition.
In winter you’ll be able to see the bones of the tree. Notice how the size goes from the trunk (largest) to branches, limbs and twigs (smallest). Warren Ludwig has captured a very specific tree by paying attention to these things, as well as the position of each limb. Notice the overlapping shapes; these negative shapes between the branches help catch the perspective.
Take a half hour or so to walk around your area, wherever you are. Notice the variety of tree shapes and look for different types or species. Do quick sketches to help you identify them. Simple silhouettes like these will show you a lot. Identify as many as you can to truly get to know your area.
Find a bare tree in winter (or perhaps a dead one if it’s summer), and sit comfortably nearby. Pay attention to its now-exposed growing pattern of trunk, branch and twig. Utilize overlapping shapes and suggest bark texture, if you have time. Use whatever medium suits your mood and the subject.
If there’s a tree that especially catches your eye, like this lightning-damaged oak, take time to observe and draw the shapes and textures. Splash in a background and leave the tree as a line drawing, as I did here. Wet-in-wet blending and a bit of spatter suggest the light-dappled forest beyond.