How to Paint a Tree: 5 Acrylic Tree Techniques

Steps

1. 1. Set Up Your Palette and Brushes

   The fan brush is the workhorse for all four trees. Get one in size 4 or 6.

   Tip: Don't dilute your acrylic too much for trees. The thick paint loaded onto the fan brush is what creates the natural texture - watery paint just smears.

   

2. 2. Paint a Pine Tree (Zigzag Method)

   Load the fan brush with dark sap green. Working from the SIDE of the brush (not flat-on), dab in a downward triangle zigzag motion - widest at the bottom, narrowing to a point at the top.

   Tip: Don't be afraid to make the tree patchy. Real pines have gaps where light shows through - a perfectly filled triangle reads as fake.

   

3. 3. Add Mid-Tones and Highlights

   With a clean fan brush, mix a mid-tone color - green plus a touch of yellow gives you a marbled lighter green. Use the same zigzag motion over the dark base, focusing on the side of the tree facing your light source.

   Tip: Leave the mid-tone color marbled on your palette. Don't fully mix the green and yellow - the variation in color shows seasonal change in the tree.

   

4. 4. Paint a Leafy or Slim Canopy Tree

   For a deciduous tree, use the corner of the fan brush to dab clusters of leaves in a rough oval shape. Build with darks first, then mid-tones, then highlights on the light-facing side.

   

5. 5. Paint a Side-Leaning Tree (Off-Center)

   The last tree leans in from the side of the canvas. Start the trunk near the edge, curving back toward the painting.

   Tip: Once you've painted all four, leave them taped overnight. Pull the painter's tape carefully when dry - the clean white borders make each tree look like a tiny finished study.