Quick tree tutorial for Photoshop and tablet
The whole thing is done with a soft round brush (it should be default in the
brush window, if not then go to the brush window *circle with small arrow on
right-hand side* and append them in). It gives quite a hard shape with a little
softness round the edges. The opacity is around 20-30%. Don’t be afraid
to use a large size brush!
This way of drawing is what I call the scribble technique because that’s
mostly what it involves! Don’t forget to use layers too.
(click on image for large view)
1. Tip- There is a great variation in the growth patterns of trees according
to species. Study and understanding the way a tree grows will help greatly when
trying to draw them. The type in the tutorial is based on the middle style,
a beech parkland tree (parkland trees are much shorter and wider, in a wood
it would be much narrower and tall).
First draw in the trunk and branch bases to help place the leaf pads.
2. Start blobbing in the leaf pads using a dotting/ scribbling motion. Because
of the opacity, you will get patches of darker colour the more you go over an
area.
3. Add more, if there are areas that are too heavy use the eraser to break
it up a bit (use and eraser brush on the same settings as your drawing brush)
You want to create and airy texture rather than solid masses.
Tip- usually the light is coming from above so when bulking the leaf pads the
upper surface should be much lighter and the underneath darker and shadowed.
However if the light were coming from another direction the placing of the light
and shadows would be relative. Also some trees such as willow and birch have
silver or lighter underside to their leaves.
4. Add a more distinct outline
Tip- most trees are apex dominant so the lower branches are older and weaker
while the stronger and wider branches are towards the middle and top.
5. With a smaller brush scribble in some individual leaves/ clusters and twigs
round the outline.
Tip- try and shape the scribbles to reflect the leaf shape of the species of
tree, i.e. pointed, spiky or rounded.
6. In a similar way scribble in some lighter foliage over the tree.
7. You’re done! BTW the closer the tree, the more details need. You can continue to add more real detail if necessary.
All content, images, pictures, character designs, tutorials and
concepts on this site are © to Abigail Wood unless otherwise stated. Do
not use anything from this site without permission..