In the following tutorial you will learn to draw and analyze a tree.

And by understanding everything you can incorporate it into your own illustrations. Here is a simple example of a color study from the Studio Ghibli movies:

1. Copy and observation

We start the tutorial to paint an oak tree, first of all we are going to need a reference image, it can be looking for it or taking a photo... Then we are going to copy and observe the image using a flat oil paint brush. For now we are not going to do anything else, just copy and finish it.

1.1 Baseline analysis

In order to better visualize and understand the shape of the tree's foliage, we are going to divide it into rectangular geometric figures. This will allow us to more easily identify its structure and how it is composed. I use red to better highlight the color and create a contrast.

 

We can repeat this exercise as many times as necessary with different reference images, the important thing is to understand the shapes that make up the foliage of the tree.

1.2 Sketch and simplification

Now we are going to further simplify the structure of the tree, that is, we are going to make simpler shapes.

Once our tree sketch has been simplified, we will add the geometric figures inside the contours.

This sketch will help us to better locate the shadows and lights, always depending on which direction the light is coming from. In this case I will be guided by the reference image.

1.3 Grayscale and color

When adding shadows and lights it is important to work in grayscale, this way we can better visualize the contrasts and passages of value that are generated.

To make a grayscale drawing have color, we can create a new layer and use blend modes. So we would use the blend mode: color.

The important thing in this step was to choose a custom color palette, choosing them from the chromatic circle.

 

But it's not enough, so we're going to create a layer on top and we're going to add some details, always guiding ourselves from the reference.

 

Then it would be something like this:

2. Trunk and branches

We are going to understand the trunk of the tree as a curve or a letter O on the sides, even the spaces of the branches can be in U or V shapes.

 

This is just a simple way to understand and represent the trunk with branches of the tree.

2.1 Cylinder and structure

The trunk and branches of a tree are like cylinders. A cylinder that expands on the sides.

A cylinder that widens below on its support, and narrows above, until it reaches the limit of the branches, where it begins to widen more to be able to support the crown (branches and foliage).

The branches are also like cylinders, but these are longer and thinner. We can understand them as cylinders that come out of other cylinders... being the trunk the largest cylinder.

2.2 Fold

Now, to give the tree more naturalness and movement, we are going to bend it a bit.

This fold is obtained by turning the figure... Imagine that you have a rectangle and you squeeze it.

2.3 Curve and overlap

After the fold, we are going to give it a directionality with an arrow or curve. This is to distinguish where the tree grows.

We'll also add overlapping cross branches, to give a sense of remoteness. These branches are also intervened by perspective.

Finally we are going to follow the first steps, making the figures of the foliage.

2.4 Final process: sketch and color

All that remains is to color and refine the strokes with the flat oil paint brush, the process is the same as the beginning, only we must spend more time on it.

We will also paint the background and we will be guided by the drawings we made previously.

That's all, now compare the first drawing with the last one and you will see the difference.