TREE SHAPES
BY WILLIAM F. POWELL
T
ree shapes vary tremendously. Some are tall and thin, while others are short and wide. To provide an authentic quality to your drawings, you must render the many subtle differences—especially among tree families. Each tree has its own characteristics and structural growth pattern. Study the different tree shapes on this and the next three pages. Pine trees are evergreens, which have needlelike leaves and produce cones (coniferous). The pine tree family has many species—such as hemlocks, spruce, and firs—which have different shapes and textures. Adapt your lines and shading to portray the various types.
Seeing the Basic Shapes First study the tree you want to draw, and mentally break it down into basic shapes. For instance, the mountain hemlock can be drawn from a triangular shape, while the bishop pine consists of oval shapes. Use an HB pencil to outline the tree and render the middle values. Switch to a 2B pencil for the darker areas. Bishop pine
*2!J^v«Y-v, Giant sequoia 104
Red fir
Mountain hemloek
Pondewsa pine