How to Paint Realistic Trees with Oils (Step by Step Tutorial)

If you’ve ever struggled to make your trees look realistic in an oil painting, this tutorial will help you. In just three easy steps, you’ll learn the best brushes for painting trees, how to mix natural-looking greens and browns, and simple techniques to bring your landscapes to life. Perfect for beginners and intermediate oil painters.

Materials You’ll Need

• Oil paints in green, brown, yellow, and white

• Flat and round brushes in different sizes

• Palette knife (optional, for texture)

• Prepared canvas

• Palette and linseed oil/medium

Step-by-Step: Painting Realistic Trees

1. Basic Shape: Start by sketching the outline of the tree with a thin brush and diluted paint.

2. Block in Colors: Use darker shades of green and brown to fill in the foliage and trunk. Keep your strokes loose to avoid stiffness.

3. Add Highlights and Details: With a smaller brush and lighter tones (yellow-green or white mixed with green), add highlights on the sunlit areas. Blend softly to create depth and realism.

Tips for Realism

• Mix multiple greens instead of using just one tube color.

• Add tiny touches of yellow or blue depending on the light source.

• Use a dry brush technique for distant trees to create a soft look.

Frequently Asked Questions

What brushes are best for painting trees in oils?
Use fan brushes for foliage, round brushes for details, and flat brushes for broader strokes.

How do you make realistic tree colors?
Mix green with a touch of brown or yellow to avoid artificial tones. Layering different shades creates depth.

How do you paint trees in the background?
Use less detail and lighter colors to make them look distant, creating perspective in your landscape.

Video Tutorial

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source: Michael James Smith