Materials You’ll Need:
- Your nature journal, or any sketch/drawing paper
- Coloured pencils (variety of browns, yellows, and other earth tones)
- Black ballpoint pen
- Eraser and sharpener (if needed)
Step 1: Light Sketch with Coloured Pencil
Begin by lightly sketching the basic outline of the tree with a brown or light grey coloured pencil. Focus on:
- The trunk and main branches
- The general shape of the canopy
- The direction and flow of secondary branches
Keep your lines loose and organic—trees are naturally asymmetrical.
Something to keep in mind is the shape and structure of tree branches are typically hierarchical and fractal-like, meaning they follow patterns that repeat at different scales.
SHAPE:
- Tapered: Branches usually get thinner the farther they are from the trunk.
- Irregular but patterned: While they may appear random, branches often grow at predictable angles and split repeatedly.
- Arched or angled: Some trees have upward-reaching branches (like oaks), while others spread out horizontally (like maples).
STRUCTURE:
- Main trunk is the central support.
- Primary branches grow out from the trunk.
- Secondary branches grow from the primary ones, and so on.
- The pattern often follows a self-similar structure – smaller branches resemble the larger ones.
Step 2: Define Structure & Texture
Using your coloured pencils:
- Layer darker browns on one side of the trunk and branches to define form and direction.
- Use lighter browns or yellows for highlights where light would naturally hit.
- Use short, quick strokes to suggest bark texture and cross-hatching technique for depth.
Step 3: Cross-Hatching with Ballpoint Pen
Now bring in your black ballpoint pen to add cross-hatching for depth and shading.
- Make an outline of the tree, including the branches.
- Use diagonal and curved lines to follow the form of the tree.
- Cross-hatch in shadowed areas—under branches, one side of the trunk, and where limbs overlap.
- Vary the spacing of lines: closer lines for darker areas, wider apart for lighter tones.
Step 4: Add Final Details & Adjustments
Step back and assess your drawing:
- Add more contrast with additional pen lines in the darkest areas.
- Enhance colour vibrancy by lightly reapplying coloured pencils over some areas of pen hatching.
- If needed, use an eraser to lift off excess colour or soften overly dark spots.
Tips
- Practice cross-hatching on scrap paper to get control over pressure and direction.
- Use the ballpoint pen sparingly in highlight areas to keep the drawing from becoming too heavy.
- Combining coloured pencils with pen creates a nice balance between softness and structure.
Final Thoughts
Combining coloured pencils with a black ballpoint pen offers a unique blend of softness and precision in your tree drawings. Cross-hatching adds depth, transforming a simple sketch into a textured, dimensional piece of drawing. Whether you’re a beginner or honing your style, this technique invites you to observe nature closely and express it with your own creative touch. Don’t worry about perfection—each line and layer brings character to your tree. Keep practicing, and soon, your branches will grow with confidence on the page.
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