Samples of Trees Done by Professional Artists                               (page 1)

The artist used the dark trees for value contrast to bring out the light in the building.  The highlights were placed over the dark paint with a large brush applying downward swooping stokes.

By placing some dry or dead evergreen tree branches in the area where you have a concentration of these trees, it will help to offset the monotony as well as add more character.

The artist scumbled some of the cloud color on the top of the evergreens to unite them to the painting and to avoid a hard edge away from the center of interest that would normally distract the viewer.

The evergreen trees were laid in with simple and large brushstrokes.  Detail was not a concern.

The artist shows vast amount of color variation. He also blurred the top edges of the bushes in the back so the viewer’s eye can focus on the cowboy more easily. In general it’s good practice to blur all the edges of foliage.

All the color variegation in the foothills really enhance this area.

Trees are beautiful enough to make stand alone focal points.

It Is extremely important that your foliage mass contains sky holes or openings so the viewer will see the objects in the background. This common practice will make your trees and bushes belong to the painting and avoid a pasted on look.

Clyde Aspevig only shows a very impressionist look to the pine trees in the back. Observe his lack of concern for adding highlights to all the trees, leading just a few indications of light at the treetops.

A good example of loose brushstrokes.  Not all the leaves are indicated.

Trees in a very far background are very easily depicted with simple vertical brushstrokes using the thin side of the brush.  All the individual trees will merge into  one foliage mass depicted by uniform and solid color.

Harvey does an excellent job at softening the edges of his trees. This really helps to push them back into the distance.

By adding more blue and by lightening the dark area of the green trees in the background they appear to go into the distance.

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