This process shows a method for depicting trees when you want your foliage and branches unified as one. It’s the effect we generally get when looking towards the light. You’ll see less ‘internal’ detail and variation of tone and colour. Things become silhouetted and it’s more the outside edges of shapes that define them. For more on artistic techniques, see our tutorials on how to draw a cat and how to create a colour chart and avoid mixing muddy colours . 1. Paint the trunk It’s best to use either Rough or Not surface paper for this effect. Load a medium-sized brush with fairly thick paint, then begin the tree by squashing the brush against the paper firmly at the base of its ivy-covered trunk. Drag the brush quickly upwards along its length, so it leaves a mark that’s broken by the paper surface. 2. Branch out Using the tip of the brush, draw out some fine lines as the branches of the tree. However, don’t add too many – just think of the biggest branches.…