Trees make a wonderful subject matter for canvas painting. They can be the focal point of a painting or they can add beauty to a landscape. They can also be a symbol of a particular theme or idea. Some artists use them to express ideas about life, love (apple trees), death or fear of the unknown (dark forests) or power of nature (sycamore). Others take a more stylized approach and use bold outlines or directional brushwork to reiterate the contours of the trees.
One of the major challenges for many beginner painters is how to paint greens. The trick is to use a variety of greens and mix them together. You will also need to pay attention to the light and shadow patterns that occur in the tree. This is often known as dappled light. Isaac Levitan used dappled light to create a sense of depth in his paintings.
A great way to improve your skills in painting trees is to practice on a piece of scrap paper or canvas. Try to focus on different colors, shapes and sizes of trees. You may even want to experiment with a different medium such as watercolor or acrylic.
If you make a mistake on your canvas, don’t worry. Just like Bob Ross said, “There are no mistakes in painting, only happy little accidents.” You can usually fix these by using water or linseed oil for oils and titanium white paint for watercolors. tree canvas painting