How to Paint Watercolor Trees: Step-by-Step Guide with 15 Free Tree Templates for Practice

Last Updated on June 25, 2025 by Dee

Painting trees with watercolor can be simple and relaxing when you know the basic steps and have the right tools.

Download the free Watercolor Trees Art Templates at the end of this post!

These templates are perfect if you want to improve your skills or just want an easy way to start.

You don’t need a lot of supplies or fancy techniques to get started.

All you need is a little practice, some patience, and fun tree shapes to work with.

Whether you’re a total beginner or have tried painting before, this post will help you make watercolor trees that look great.

Key Takeaways

Learn how to start watercolor tree painting the easy way
Simple step-by-step tips and free templates included
Answers to common questions help you paint with confidence

How To Paint Watercolor Trees: Getting Started

Painting watercolor trees is easier when you have the right tools, good templates, and a tidy place to work.

Getting these basics right will help you focus on learning and enjoy your painting time more.

Watercolor Painting Supplies To Get Started!

This is my go-to list of recommended watercolor painting supplies that we use for all our watercolor art, junk journaling, and art journaling!

**This page may contain affiliate links to products I have used or recommend. If you purchase something from this page, I may receive a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you.**

Watercolors: Windsor & Newton is a reputable brand that offers high-quality watercolor paints. You can choose from their range of professional-grade watercolor tubes or pans, depending on your preference.
Watercolor Paper: Look for cold-pressed, 140lb (300gsm) watercolor paper for the best results. This type of paper is durable and has a nice texture that’s ideal for watercolor painting.
Brushes: A selection of round and flat brushes in various sizes will give you the versatility you need for different strokes and details. Sable or synthetic brushes designed for watercolor will give you the best performance.
Palette: A mixing palette with wells for both mixing and holding your paints is essential. It can be a simple plastic one or a porcelain palette for a more luxurious feel.
Water Container: Any clean jar or container will do, but having two for clean and dirty water can help keep your colors pure.
Masking Fluid: This is used to cover areas of your painting that you want to keep white. Make sure to apply it with an old brush or a dedicated masking fluid brush, as it can ruin fine bristles.
Pencils: A soft pencil, like a 2B, is great for sketching your design before painting.
Eraser: A kneaded eraser is gentle on watercolor paper and can lift pencil lines without damaging the surface.
Paper Towels or a Rag: These are useful for blotting your brush to control the amount of water and paint.
Board: If you’re using watercolor paper from a pad or sheets, you might want to tape your paper down to a board to prevent warping.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I genuinely use and love in my own art practice. Your

Gather everything before you begin so you don’t have to stop once you start.

Setting Up Your Workspace

A clean and organized workspace makes painting easier and less stressful.

Choose a flat table near a window with good natural light if possible.

Lay out a mat or old newspaper to protect your table from water and paint stains.

Set everything within reach to avoid moving around while painting.

Arrange your paints and brushes on one side and keep your water and paper towels on the other.

Place your chosen template in the middle, taped lightly to the paper if needed.

Make sure your area is free from dust and spills.

Having a small trash bin close by helps keep things tidy as you work.

Step-By-Step Guide to Painting Watercolor Trees

Painting watercolor trees involves a mix of planning, basic brush techniques, and discovering how water and color work together.

Paying attention to how you build up shapes, add texture, and use light and dark tones will make your trees look natural and interesting.

Basic Techniques for Tree Shapes

Start by deciding what type of tree you want to paint, such as a pine, cypress, or oak.

Use a pencil to lightly sketch the tree’s trunk and main branches.

Keep your lines faint so they won’t show through the paint.

Use a round brush and load it with your chosen green.

Tap or dab the brush to form general leaf shapes, or use long strokes for pine needles.

For a looser look, let your brushmarks stay visible instead of trying to make them perfect.

Don’t worry about making every leaf.

Focus on the overall shape and let some white space show through to suggest sky holes between branches.

Painting different tree types is easier if you group your brush strokes to match the tree’s look, rather than copying every detail.

To see more on grouping marks, check out this easy guide to painting watercolor trees.

Layering Colors for Realistic Foliage

Layering is key for adding depth to your tree.

Start with a light wash of green to mark where the leaves will go.

Once it dries, add a second layer with a darker green or even some blue to give the tree body and dimension.

Build up the color slowly.

Each new layer adds more shadow and makes the tree look fuller.

Leave a few lighter spots for leaves that catch more sunlight.

For a richer effect, mix in yellows for highlights or browns for areas in shadow.

Remember to let each layer dry before adding the next.

This stops the colors from blending together too much and helps your tree keep its realistic look.

For a detailed breakdown of layering colors, you can visit this complete watercolor trees guide.

Creating Textures With Brushes

Using different brush techniques adds texture to your trees.

Hold your brush sideways and sweep it across the paper for rough, uneven leaf patterns.

You can try scumbling, where you scrub or dab with the side of a dry brush to make more jagged shapes and leaf clusters.

A fan brush or an old toothbrush can create interesting foliage textures if you tap or flick them onto your painting.

Change the pressure on your brush to make thicker or thinner marks as needed.

Leave small gaps, called sky holes, to make the tree look less solid and more natural.

If you want to keep things simple, just dab and lift your brush to mimic clusters of leaves.

For more on adding texture, read this lesson covering scumbling and sky holes.

Adding Shadows and Highlights

Adding light and dark areas brings your tree to life.

First, decide where your light is coming from.

The side facing the light should have lighter greens and some touches of yellow.

The opposite side can be shaded with darker greens mixed with blue or brown.

Paint the trunk and main branches with a thin mix of brown or gray.

When the first layer is dry, add a touch of blue or a cool color to one side to show shadow.

For the leaves, add shadow by dropping darker paint in while the area is still slightly wet for a soft look, or wait for it to dry for crisper edges.

Don’t forget to add a few highlights on the sunlit edges with a small brush and diluted yellow.

Highlighted tips and deep shadows help your tree stand out and look more three-dimensional.

10 Painting Ideas for Watercolor Trees

Practice With 15 Free Tree Templates

Practicing with the free printable tree templates (download these at the end of this post!) can help you build skills faster and make painting seem less overwhelming.

With these templates, you can focus on details like shape and texture rather than worrying about drawing from scratch every time.

How to Use the Printable Templates

Start by choosing a tree template that matches the style or species you want to paint.

Examples include pine, oak, or simple bare tree outlines.

Print the template in the size you prefer.

If you want different effects, print several copies at various sizes.

To work directly on watercolor paper, tape the template gently to a well-lit window or place it on a light box.

Place your watercolor paper over the template and lightly trace with a pencil.

This helps transfer the main shapes without adding too much pressure to the paper.

You can find a range of bare tree templates for free printing online.

Pick a different design each time you paint to practice different shapes and branches.

Tips for Tracing and Transferring

If your paper is thick or textured, tracing might be tricky.

Try using graphite paper under your template or gently rubbing a pencil on the back of the printed lines.

Press down lightly while tracing to avoid making marks too dark.

A soft, sharp pencil works best to avoid tearing or denting your watercolor sheet.

Check your outlines before painting and gently erase extra lines with a kneaded eraser.

For a reusable stencil, print your tree onto a sheet of mylar or thin plastic.

Cut out the template carefully.

Use masking tape to hold it steady on your page when tracing.

Here are some quick tips:

Use a light hand when tracing.
Align your paper and template carefully for neat results.
Erase any visible pencil lines after painting if you prefer a cleaner look.

Progress Tracking and Personalization

Keep each painted tree in a folder or sketchbook to track your progress.

Label every practice sheet with the date and any notes on technique, color mixing, or areas where you struggled.

This makes it easy to see how your skills improve over time.

Personalize your templates by adding extra details.

Try making different types of leaves, adding textured bark, or changing the tree’s silhouette.

Experiment with seasons by painting the same tree as bare, in bloom, or with autumn colors.

A simple table can help you organize your experiments:

Template Type	Date Painted	Notes/Techniques Used	Changes Made
Pine Tree	06/10/2025	Wet-on-wet for foliage	Added snow effect
Bare Oak	06/17/2025	Dry brush for texture	More branches

Frequently Asked Questions

Learning watercolor trees can be easier when you know which methods work well for mixing colors, creating tree bark, and painting tree canopies.

Paying attention to details like washes, shading, and ways to control paint flow will help your trees look more natural.

What’s the best way to mix greens for painting trees in watercolor?

Start by mixing different shades using yellow and blue watercolors.

Add a little red or brown to tone down bright greens when you want a more natural look.

If you want more tips, you can check out this complete guide on watercolor trees.

Try making test swatches before putting any green on your painting.

Leaf colors change with the light and season, so use a mix of green tones for more interest.

Can you provide tips for painting realistic tree bark with watercolors?

Let your paper dry before painting bark details.

Use a dry brush technique to make rough, textured marks for bark.

Mixing in gray, brown, and a touch of blue gives bark a natural color.

Layer thin washes for depth.

Lightly drag the side of your brush across the paper to get the look of fine, broken bark lines.

How do I use watercolor washes to create a tree canopy?

Paint the canopy using a light wash first, then add darker layers as it dries.

Shape the top of the canopy with soft, uneven edges to look like real leaves.

Drop in more color while the paint is still damp for a soft, blended effect, like in this easy watercolor tree painting guide.

Avoid making a solid circle.

Leave some gaps to show sky between branches.

What techniques should I learn for adding details to watercolor trees?

Use a small brush to paint tiny leaves and thin branches.

Try the stippling technique for dots of leaf color.

Switch up your brush strokes—some short, some long—to mimic the way real twigs and leaves grow.

Let each layer dry before adding more details.

This stops the colors from mixing and keeps your details sharp.

How do you prevent watercolors from bleeding when painting tree leaves?

Wait until your first layer is completely dry before adding a new color next to it.

This keeps the paint from spreading.

Work in small sections and use less water on your brush to stay in control.

You can also tilt your paper so the paint only travels in the direction you want.

Practice helps you see how much water is just right.

What are some effective ways to create light and shadow in watercolor tree paintings?

Decide where your light is coming from.

Paint the side facing the light with lighter colors and the shadowed side with darker greens and touches of blue or purple.

Add a little more water to your lighter paint for a soft look.

Layering helps build up shadow slowly.

Leave small spots of white paper for highlights where the sun hits the leaves.

Pin this for later 👇🏻

Grab the Free Printable Tree Watercolor Templates HERE (below👇🏻)!

To access the free in-post printables for this post, you’ll just need to create a free account or log in with the Grow.me tool. Then, confirm by email and refresh the page, and ALL my free printables will automatically unlock in every post!

Love These Watercolor Templates? Get Even More Exclusive Creative Goodies in the Artsydee Creation Watercolor Club! 🎨

If you’re enjoying these free printables, why not join my Artsydee Creation Club? As a member, you’ll gain access to exclusive watercolor lessons, and tons of printables like this one, which are delivered to you every week. Plus, you’ll get sneak peeks at upcoming projects and have a say in what content I create next. ✨

Join today and unlock premium resources to take your creativity to the next level!

Join The Artsydee Creation Club HERE!