Stunning Tree Designs in Procreate: Step-by-Step Guide

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 11 July 2023 7 min read

Learning how to create stunning tree designs in Procreate can seem daunting, but with the right tools and a bit of practice, you can craft beautiful digital artwork. In this step-by-step guide, we'll walk you through how to use the tree brush procreate tool to create various tree species, add realistic textures, and finalize your design. So, let's start at the beginning, shall we?

1. Get the Basics

Before you dive into your tree design, it's important to first understand the basics of Procreate. This includes choosing the right tools and exploring different basic tree designs to get you started.

Choose Your Procreate Tools

The Procreate app has a wide range of tools that can be used to draw stunning tree designs. The most important tool you'll need is the Tree Brush Procreate. This brush allows you to add detailed textures to your tree designs and create a realistic look. Here's how you can choose the right Procreate tools:

Select the brush tool from the tool panel.
Scroll down the list of brushes until you find the Tree Brush Procreate.
Select it and adjust the brush size and opacity according to your needs.

Pro Tip: Experiment with different brush settings to discover what works best for you and your unique style.

Explore Basic Tree Designs

Before you start drawing, it's a good idea to explore different types of tree designs. Whether it's a towering pine or a tropical palm, understanding the basic shapes and forms of trees will help you create more realistic and detailed illustrations. So, spend some time studying real trees or browse through the tree brush Procreate library for inspiration.

Remember, the key to successful tree design is observation and practice. So, don't be afraid to experiment with different types of trees and brush settings to find what works best for you.

Now that you have your Procreate tools selected and a basic understanding of tree designs, it's time to start drawing your first tree!

2. Draw Your First Tree

With the basics under your belt, you're ready to draw your first tree in Procreate. The key is to start simple and gradually build complexity. Let's start with choosing the type of tree you would like to draw.

Choose a Tree Type

There are countless types of trees you could choose to draw, from a towering oak to a delicate cherry blossom. For beginners, it's often easier to start with a simple tree type, like a pine or an apple tree. Once you're comfortable with these, you can start experimenting with more complex types. Remember, the tree brush Procreate tool offers a variety of brushes that can help you achieve the look of different tree species.

Start with Tree Trunk

Every great tree drawing starts with the trunk. It's the backbone of your tree and will determine the overall shape and size of your design. Here's a quick step-by-step guide:

Choose a brown color from the color palette for the trunk.
Using the tree brush Procreate tool, draw a vertical line for the trunk.
Depending on the tree type, adjust the thickness of the trunk. For example, a palm tree will have a slender trunk while an oak tree will have a thicker one.

Pro Tip: Don't worry about getting the trunk perfectly straight. Real trees are rarely perfectly vertical, and a slight curve can add a natural look to your tree.

Add Tree Branches

Next, it's time to add branches to your tree. These will give your tree its unique shape and structure. Here's how:

Choose a smaller brush size for the branches.
Starting from the top of the trunk, draw lines extending outwards for the branches.
Add smaller branches stemming from the larger ones.

Remember, the number and placement of branches can greatly affect the overall look of your tree. For example, a pine tree will have more branches compared to a palm tree. So, keep the type of tree in mind as you add your branches.

Great! You have the base of your tree drawn. Now, let's move on to adding textures and details to bring your tree to life.

3. Add Textures and Details

Once you've drawn the basic shape of your tree, it's time to bring it to life by adding textures and details. This is where the tree brush Procreate tool really shines. With the right brush strokes and layering, you can create a tree that looks like it's popping right off the screen.

Apply Procreate Brushes

Adding texture to your tree involves using the right brushes. Procreate comes with a variety of brushes suited for different parts of the tree. For instance, you can use the "Bark" brush to create a realistic texture for the tree trunk and branches. For the foliage, the "Leaf" brush can help create a natural, leafy look. Remember, the key is to experiment with different brushes to see what works best for your tree design.

Pro Tip: You don't have to stick to just one brush. Mixing and matching brushes can create interesting textures and depth in your tree design. Just imagine what you could create using the tree brush Procreate tool!

Utilize Layers Feature

Procreate's layers feature is a powerful tool that can take your tree design to the next level. By creating different layers for the trunk, branches, and leaves, you can easily modify each part without affecting the rest of the design. This also allows you to add details and textures to each part individually, making your tree look more realistic.

Create a new layer for the trunk and draw it using the tree brush Procreate tool.
Add a new layer for the branches. Draw them as you did with the trunk, adjusting the brush size as necessary.
Create another layer for the leaves. Depending on the type of tree you're drawing, you may want to use a different brush to achieve the desired texture and look.

By using layers, you will have more control over your design and be able to make adjustments easily, without having to start from scratch. Now that you've added textures and details, let's explore how to create different tree species using the tree brush Procreate tool.

4. Create Different Tree Species

Now that you've mastered the basics of tree design, it's time to branch out (pun intended!) and explore how to create different tree species. Whether it's a tropical palm tree or a majestic pine tree, the tree brush Procreate tool has you covered.

Draw Palm Trees

Palm trees are known for their long, slender trunks and distinctive fronds. To capture this in Procreate, start by using a thinner brush for the trunk. For the fronds, use a leaf brush to create long, sweeping strokes. Remember, palm trees often have a slight curve to their trunks, and their fronds fan out in all directions. Keep this in mind as you draw.

Pro Tip: To create a realistic palm tree, remember to add coconuts! Use a round brush to add these details.

Draw Pine Trees

Pine trees are quite different from palm trees. They have a characteristic triangular shape and dense foliage. Start by using a tree brush to create the triangular outline. Then, use a leaf brush to fill in the foliage. Don't forget the pinecones! You can add them using a round brush.

Draw Maple Trees

Maple trees are notable for their broad, rounded crowns and distinctive leaves. To draw a maple tree in Procreate, start with a larger brush to create the trunk and major branches. Then, switch to a leaf brush to create the crown. For the leaves, you can either draw them individually or use a leaf brush to create clusters of leaves.

By experimenting with the tree brush Procreate tool and its various settings, you can create a wide variety of tree species. Keep practicing, and soon you'll be able to draw any tree you can imagine!

5. Finalize Your Tree Design

Once you've mastered the art of drawing different tree species with the tree brush Procreate tool, it's time to put the finishing touches on your design. This step is all about refining your artwork and adding those extra details that will make your tree designs truly stand out.

Add Final Touches

Adding final touches to your tree design can make a big difference. These touches might include adding shadows for depth, enhancing the color for vibrancy, or including finer details for realism. For instance, you might want to darken the areas under the tree canopy to give the impression of shadow, or use a lighter color on one side of the tree to suggest sunlight. You can even add a few birds or squirrels to bring your trees to life!

Pro Tip: Don’t be afraid to play around with Procreate's wide variety of brushes. You never know—you might stumble upon a new technique that perfectly captures the texture of tree bark or the softness of tree foliage.

After adding the final touches, it's time to save your work. Procreate automatically saves your work as you go along, but it's always good to save a final version. You can save your tree design as a JPEG, PNG, or Procreate file. This way, you can easily share your work with others, or use it in future projects.

Creating stunning tree designs using the tree brush Procreate tool may seem challenging at first, but with a little practice, you'll soon be creating your own digital forest. So what are you waiting for? Grab your iPad, open Procreate, and start creating!

If you enjoyed learning about creating stunning tree designs in Procreate, you'll definitely want to check out Vicky Catalan's workshop, 'How to Draw A Fruit In ProCreate'. This workshop will teach you step-by-step how to create beautiful and realistic fruit illustrations using Procreate, further expanding your digital art skills.