Trees

We examined the nature of trees and some painting techniques such as dabbing or "scrubbing" the tip of the brush both wet and dry brush techniques. I also demonstrated some "swooshing" with the brush and using the thickness of the brush for the base of the trunk or branch while moving it up or out, lifting up for a narrower and lighter stroke.
I brought some branches from
 Pinon,




Juniper and






Ponderosa


I talked about how the branches of trees in general split and travel upward and with some trees, such as Firs or Willows hang downward


and it's pretty easy to depict trees in paintings.

There's also a lot of shadow amongst the branches, so whichever method one uses, lay out the darks or sketch in the shapes and move from light to dark adding layers with paint or pastel (or marker or pencil).

Notice the light. What color actually is the tree? Is it golden? Green? Blue?
Use a color scheme or stick with realism.

Have fun staring at trees, examining them and your imagination.