How to Draw a Detailed Tree

A simple guide on how to draw a realistic tree

Co-authored by Kelly Medford and Jessica Gibson

Last Updated: April 30, 2024 Fact Checked

Just about everyone has experience doodling a tree, but all it takes is a little observation and detail to draw a more realistic one. Decide whether you'd like to start with a leafy deciduous tree or a coniferous tree, such as a pine or fir tree. Once you have the general shape of the tree, go back and loosely fill in the branches and twigs. The tree will quickly take shape before your eyes!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Sketching a Leafy Tree

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Try to have an idea of the overall shape you'd like your tree to be.^{[1]
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Kelly Medford
Professional Artist

Expert Interview. 10 March 2021} If you're going to make a large oak tree, for instance, begin drawing a wide trunk that reaches high into the sky. To make a smaller birch, for example, draw a much narrower trunk.^{[2]
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Consider using HB and 2B pencils for the outlines of the tree. Later, you can shade in the tree with darker 4B or 6B pencils.
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Draw several large branches that extend from the trunk. Sketch as many branches as you like and position them on both sides of the trunk. You'll also need to draw at least 1 large branch that tapers from the top of the trunk.^{[3]
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- If you're drawing a young, small tree, keep in mind that there probably aren't very many large branches and they'll be much thinner than the branches of a large, old tree.
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3
Make the branches taper as they move away from the trunk. Instead of drawing thin twigs that come off from the branches, draw the branches so they narrow before becoming small.^{[4]
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- Vary the sizes of the branches so they look more natural.
Your tree will look out of place with nothing to ground its roots. Sketch a little grass or rocks near the root structure. Then, shade around the base of the trunk to add interest.^{[5]
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Remember which direction the sun should be shining from in your drawing so you can create a slight shadow coming away from the tree.
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Go back and shade in the bark and branches of the tree. Use a darker pencil to create twists and turns in the bark. Don't be afraid to shade and make darker spaces within the bark or branches. This will make the tree look rough.^{[6]
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- You can also smudge some of the graphite with a blending stump. This can help create shadows and depth.
- If you're drawing a tree from real life, pay attention with where the light and shadows shift from top to bottom and from one side to the other.^{[7]
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  Kelly Medford
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  Expert Interview. 10 March 2021}
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Draw the foliage for your tree. Hold your pencil so it's almost horizontal when the tip touches the paper. Then, make small, gentle movements that represent clusters of leaves instead of drawing individual leaves.^{[8]
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Kelly Medford
Professional Artist

Expert Interview. 10 March 2021} This will make your tree appear more natural.^{[9]
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- Make some of the leafy areas darker to show depth within the tree.
- If you're drawing a tree in the winter, you could skip drawing leaves or just draw a few that are still clinging to the branches.
Tip: Keep a loose grip on the pencil. This will help you relax and not think too much about making the tree symmetrical.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Drawing a Fir Tree

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1
Sketch a thin line that will be the tree's trunk. Use a 6B or dark pencil to draw a thin line on your paper. Make the line as tall as you'd like your fir tree to be.^{[10]
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- You can make your tree trunk as straight or curved as you like.
Draw the branches so they're angled up and away from the trunk. Keep in mind that the branches that are at the top should be the shortest since they'll fan out near the bottom.^{[11]
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Sketch some of the higher branches thinner than the ones near the bottom of the tree.
3
Keep making the branches all down the trunk. Extend the length of the branches the further down the trunk you go. When you're near the bottom, leave a gap so you can draw the trunk reaching the ground.^{[12]
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- Keep your hand loose and relaxed as you work in order to make a more realistic-looking tree.
Tip: Since most fir trees aren't perfectly symmetrical, alternate some of the branches or leave gaps between them.
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Use a blending stump to blur the center of the tree. Since you usually can't pick out the details when tree branches overlap, blend along the middle of the tree near the trunk. Try to leave the tips of the branches more defined so they stand out.^{[13]
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- If you don't have a blending stump, you can gently rub the paper with your clean finger.
5
Define the trunk and branches with a very sharp pencil. Go back over your tree with a sharp, dark pencil, such as a mechanical HB pencil, and draw over each branch so they really stand out. Then, draw the trunk between the branches much darker and shade in the base of the tree.^{[14]
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- Fill out the trunk so it's as wide as you like.

Expert Q&A

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Question

How do I make a tree look realistic?

Kelly Medford
Professional Artist
Kelly Medford is an American painter based in Rome, Italy. She studied classical painting, drawing and printmaking both in the U.S. and in Italy. She works primarily en plein air on the streets of Rome, and also travels for private international collectors on commission. She founded Sketching Rome Tours in 2012 where she teaches sketchbook journaling to visitors of Rome. Kelly is a graduate of the Florence Academy of Art.

Kelly Medford

Professional Artist

Expert Answer

Observe a real tree and base your drawing on it. Pay attention to where the light and shadows are so you can accurately recreate them.

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Question

How do I draw a tree with leaves?

Kelly Medford
Professional Artist
Kelly Medford is an American painter based in Rome, Italy. She studied classical painting, drawing and printmaking both in the U.S. and in Italy. She works primarily en plein air on the streets of Rome, and also travels for private international collectors on commission. She founded Sketching Rome Tours in 2012 where she teaches sketchbook journaling to visitors of Rome. Kelly is a graduate of the Florence Academy of Art.

Kelly Medford

Professional Artist

Expert Answer

Avoid drawing all of the individual leaves. Instead, draw the foliage in large masses and only add smaller leaf details around the outer edge.

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Question

How do I shade a drawing of a tree?

Community Answer

Use a coloured pencil to lightly shade the area of shade. The shade will usually appear where the sun/light can not reach.

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Tips

If you drew your tree lightly, you can color it in using sharp colored pencils.

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Although you can draw a tree with a fine-tipped pen, it's harder to add lighter details.

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Start light, then add layers of detail. Lightly sketch the basic shape first. Then, gradually deepen lines for definition. This allows flexibility to tweak the drawing as you build it up.
Use varying pencil grades. Try a 2B for initial sketch, 4B for shading bark and foliage. Add depth with a 6B pencil, then sharpen details with an HB. The contrast creates realism.
Practice gesture drawing. Quick, loose 1-2 minute tree sketches train observation and free your style. Then, incorporate that intuition into more finished pieces.
Capture the surroundings also, not just the tree. Add grass, rocks, fences — whatever exists near the tree in real life. This plants it in a realistic scene.
Study real trees first. Observe different tree types and sketch what you see. Notice textures, shapes, and sizes to help your artwork look authentic.
Focus on simplicity early. Resist overdetailing branches and leaves at first. That can make the drawing look busy. Build up slowly in layers instead.

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