How to Draw a Broken Tree: A Step-by-Step Guide

Drawing a broken tree can seem intimidating for beginners who are new to art. However, with some basic tips and tricks, anyone can learn how to create a stunning and realistic piece of artwork that captures the essence of a broken tree’s beauty. Whether you are an art enthusiast or simply looking to explore your creative side, this article will guide you on how to draw a broken tree in a relaxed and easy-to-understand language.

The first and most important step in drawing a broken tree is to familiarize yourself with the basic anatomy of a tree, including its branches, roots, and trunk. Observing real-life trees in nature or looking at reference images can help you develop a better understanding of the intricate details that make up a tree’s structure and texture. Once you have a clear idea of the tree’s anatomy, you can start sketching out the basic shape of the tree and its main branches. From there, you can gradually add in more details and textures to bring the tree to life on paper.

Section 1: Preliminary Steps for Drawing a Broken Tree

Step 1: Choose Your Drawing Tools

Before starting any drawing, it is important to gather all the necessary tools in one place. For a broken tree drawing, you can choose from various drawing mediums such as pencils, charcoal, pastels, or markers. You’ll also need paper, an eraser, a sharpener, and a ruler or protractor.

Step 2: Find a Reference Image

Taking inspiration from a reference image can help you understand the dynamics of a broken tree better. You can either click pictures of a broken tree in your nearby locality or search for inspiration on the internet.

Step 3: Decide the Composition

Composition plays a major role in any drawing. While working on a broken tree, you need to picture the different branches and twigs that have broken off and arrange them in a balanced way that maintains the natural look of the tree.

Step 4: Define the Light and Shadows

How the light falls on the tree affects the shadows in your artwork. You need to decide the direction of the light source and make sure the shadows in the drawing match it well.

Step 5: Sketch the Basic Structure

With all the preparation, it is time to start sketching the basic structure of the broken tree. Use light strokes to draw the outline of the tree and its branches.

Step 6: Add Details

Once the basic structure is established, it is time to add more details to it. Define each broken branch, twig and give them the required texture.

Step 7: Create the Foliage

Usually, broken trees don’t have many leaves. But, it would give an artistic look to the drawing if you add some leaves to the remaining branches of the tree. Be careful about the direction of the leaves as it should point towards the missing branches.

Step 8: Add the Final Touches

Add final touches like highlights, shadows, smudging to the drawing to give it a more natural look.

Step 9: Practice

Practice is key to perfection. Keep in mind that drawing takes patience and persistence. Don’t be disheartened if your first attempt does not match your expectations.

Step 10: Let Your Creativity Flow

Don’t be afraid to add your own twist to the broken tree drawing. Everyone has unique creative abilities; let your creativity flow and make your drawing beautiful in your own way.

Section 2: Techniques to draw a Broken Tree

1. Select the Right Paper and Pencils

To get started with drawing a broken tree, it is important to choose the right tools. The first step is to select the paper and pencils. You can use any type of paper, but it should be thick enough to withstand the pressure of drawing. Always use a good quality sharp pencil with a range of graphite hardness. Soft pencils are great for shades, while harder pencils can create a precision line.

2. Analyze the Broken Tree Anatomy

To make a realistic drawing, you must closely examine the tree’s broken anatomy. Highlight the areas where the tree has been damaged, and use that as a reference for the drawing. Make sure you observe the characteristics of different types of trees, such as the height, branches, and the leaves and bark type.

3. Start with a Sketch

Sketching the outline of the tree will give you an idea of the size and content of your final drawing. Begin the drawing with a light pencil, and then gradually start to draw the smaller details. Avoid making any mistakes, and take your time with the sketching process, as it is the basis of the final drawing.

4. Break the Trunk with Light and Shadow

To draw a broken tree, you need to create a convincing effect of depth. One way to achieve this is by adding light and shadow to the trunk. Start with a light sketch, and gradually use shading techniques to highlight the cracks and hollow spaces.

5. Develop the Texture of the Bark

Bark texture is an important detail that should not be overlooked. Give your tree a dose of realism by creating various patterns and lines to mimic the texture of the bark. This will add depth and character to your drawing.

6. Create the Broken Branches

Broken branches are a fundamental part of drawing a broken tree. When sketching the branches, choose a variety of thicknesses to create the impression of damage. Use shading to create the effect of depth and shadow beneath the broken branch.

7. Enhance the Broken Leaves

A broken tree is incomplete without the appropriate representation of leaves. Use a variety of shades of green and brown to develop the leaves. Always aim to give your artwork a sense of contrast and asymmetry.

8. Add the Background

The background is an important aspect of any drawing. It provides context, scale, and depth to your artwork. For the broken tree drawing, use the background to show the surrounding environment, such as other trees or rocks.

9. Refine the Details

After you’ve completed the sketch, take a step back, and then examine your work. Address any mistakes and carefully refine the details. Add more shadow, texture, and shades to the drawing to give it more depth.

10. Frame Your Drawing

The final step is framing your work to preserve it and make it ready for display. Use a suitable frame that complements the colors of your drawing. Finally, hang your masterpiece in a prominent spot to show off your art skills!

Steps in Drawing a Broken Tree

Drawing a broken tree may seem a bit difficult, but with the right steps and techniques, anyone can easily create an excellent artwork that portrays a broken tree. Here are the steps you can follow to achieve a broken tree drawing:

1. Sketch the Tree Trunk

Begin by drawing the trunk of the tree. If you are drawing a large tree, sketch a vertical line as the main trunk, while smaller ones can have an inclined trunk. Make sure to create a rough sketch of your chosen tree shape to serve as a layout guide.

2. Draw the Broken Branches

Now draw the broken branches by sketching irregular lines from the main trunk. A broken branch could be on either side of the trunk or could come out of the middle of the tree. You can add as little or as many broken branches as you want, depending on the size and shape of your tree.

3. Add Texture and Detail

Once you have drawn the outline of the tree and its broken branches, you can add texture and detail to the sketch. Add lines to mark the bark texture, and you can also use your pencil to create shading and highlights to add depth to the tree drawing.

4. Enhance the Roots and Soil

A tree’s roots often give clues about its age, so you can add some detail to the roots and the soil around the tree. Draw some tangled and broken roots that express the tree’s struggle and trauma. Use overlapping details to add depth to the soil.

5. Pick Your Colors

Finally, it’s time to add color to your broken tree drawing. Choose a color that reflects the mood of your drawing. For example, if you want to emphasize the tree’s brokenness, use dark and somber colors. Alternatively, brighter colors can symbolize hope and healing.

In conclusion, with the right techniques and steps, you can easily draw a broken tree. The key is to take your time and pay attention to the details. Always be creative with adding texture, shadows, highlights, and colors to bring life to your artwork. Get started today and enjoy the fantastic result of your broken tree drawing.

Wrap-Up: Thanks for Joining Our Broken Tree Drawing Adventure!

We hope you found our tutorial on how to draw a broken tree helpful and enjoyable. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t be discouraged if your first attempt isn’t perfect. With time and patience, you’ll be able to capture the essence of a broken tree and create a lifelike piece of art. Don’t forget to share your drawings with us in the comments section below, and we hope to see you again for more sketching and drawing tips later!