Author: Johannes Vloothuis, Associate Editor

Trees are probably one of the most difficult things to paint in landscapes - especially winter trees with no foliage. I have seen many artists fail here. Consider the picture below:

Detail Look carefully and you will see that the thicker the limbs are the darker they become. Pick a major limb and follow it until its end. See how the value lightens in the same proportion, as it becomes thinner until they practically become invisible by merging with the sky. Obviously it will be too overwhelming to draw every limb and branch that a real trees has. As always we must simplify. We don't need an exact rendering of a tree seen in real life. Branches never grow straight. They form nice angles that give them their character. Some trees have more gnarled branches than others. That's what determines their "breed". Now look how a tree quite similar to the photo is used in one of paintings. You can barely see the top of the tree where it meets the sky.

Detail

Another point to consider is the angle of the tree branches as they split form the larger limbs. The lower the branch the more open the angle. As the tree goes higher the angles tend to close. Here are some general points to consider when painting winter trees: Make sure both sides of a limb don't run straight and parallel to each other and/or other limbs. Make them look round by lightening the value where the light hits and rendering reflected light. Consider that some branches project outward towards you and farther from you, the latter would lighten in value even if the branches were thick. Limbs will cast shadows onto each other on a sunny day. Add character by putting in cut off limbs, squirrel holes, bark peeling off, leaves that didn't fall, a bird's nest, etc. The shadow side will pick up some reflections from the sky. Add touches of sky color to this area. Variegate the color of bark. Even though in nature their color seems to be a browish gray add blue combines with siennas, umbers, ochers, reds, even green moss. Mix these colors on the canvas instead of the palette. Preferably don't allow your tree to shoot up straight. A leaning tree is more interesting. Make sure it leans into the picture. At the top of the tree there are many little branches, many more than at the bottom. These are the ones that actually hold the mass of leaves. Don't allow the tree shape to fit into any geometrical shape such as ovals, circles, triangles (for pine trees) etc. Don't overdo the amount of branches. Open areas are good for breathing space. Some branches break off during their life span. Snow stuck to branches is a lovely sight. Branches are convex and concave.

Step 1. I draw the main shape. This is a guide to make sure all my branches end at the same edge. Pretend that you are wrapping it in Saran wrap.	Step 2. I draw in the trunk and the main branches. The trunk will show about 1/3 down.

I erased the outline I drew to determine the main shape in the beginning of the drawing. Enjoy!

Johannes Vloothuis is a Canadian born artist who specializes in landscape painting in watercolor and oils. He has held exhibitions throughout Mexico, Canada, and Italy. Besides painting, he has been teaching for over 20 years and feels proud for having helped so many amateur artists turn into professionals. He doesn't believe talent is necessary to become a good artist. Correct guidance and constant practice will achieve great results. He will not hold back "professional secrets". He is well known for his clear explanations. Johannes is the resident WetCanvas! art reviewer, providing free electronic critiques of artwork submitted by our readers. He can be reached via email at johannes@wetcanvas.com.