Easy Dry Brush Tree Painting Technique: Summer & Autumn Trees

Updated at: 16/05/2025

Capture the vibrant essence of summer and autumn foliage with the effortless charm of the dry brush painting technique! This simple yet effective method allows you to create stunningly textured tree landscapes, bringing the beauty of nature onto your canvas with remarkable ease. Forget the frustration of meticulous detail; dry brushing focuses on expressive strokes and color layering to suggest leaves and branches, resulting in captivatingly realistic – or wonderfully impressionistic – representations of trees. The unique texture created by the dry brush leaves a beautiful, almost naturally imperfect feel, lending itself perfectly to the varied colors and shapes of both summer's lush greenery and autumn's fiery hues.

This guide will walk you through each step, transforming your blank canvas into a breathtaking portrayal of seasonal trees. From choosing the right paints and brushes to mastering the crucial dry brushing technique itself, we'll equip you with the knowledge and confidence to paint beautiful summer and autumn landscapes. Let's get started on your artistic journey!

Preparation and Safety Guidelines

Tools Needed
  • Daniel Smith paints
  • Saunders Waterford 100% cotton rough texture paper
  • Brushes (round and rigger)
  • Palette
Safety Guidelines
  • Always use water-based paints for easy cleanup and to avoid harmful fumes. Oil paints require solvents for cleaning, which should be used in a well-ventilated area with proper safety precautions.
  • Protect your work surface with newspaper or a drop cloth. Dry brushing can splatter paint.
  • Dispose of used paint and brushes responsibly according to local regulations.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Sketching the Tree

    • Sketch tree outline (no details).
    Sketch tree outline (no details).
    Sketching the Tree

  2. Prepare Paint Mixtures

    • Prepare light, medium, and dark paint mixtures. The video uses a mix of Hansa Yellow Medium, Cobalt Blue, Transparent Red Oxide, Ultramarine Blue.
    • For an autumn tree, repeat the same process but with different color mixtures (Hansa yellow medium, pyro red, transparent red oxide).
    For an autumn tree, repeat the same process but with different color mixtures (Hansa yellow medium, pyro red, transparent red oxide).For an autumn tree, repeat the same process but with different color mixtures (Hansa yellow medium, pyro red, transparent red oxide).
    Prepare Paint Mixtures

  3. Dry Brush Technique Explanation

    • Hold brush with thumb on one side, four fingers on the other, scraping across the paper.
    Dry brush technique: Hold brush with thumb on one side, four fingers on the other, scraping across the paper.
    Dry Brush Technique Explanation

  4. Applying Base Layer (Summer Tree)

    • Apply light mix, starting in the middle of the tree where you want the most paint, and gradually move outwards as the brush runs out of paint.
    • Layer medium mix, starting in the middle and moving outward, overlapping the light mix.
    • Apply dark mix to the shadowed side of the tree, starting in the middle and moving outwards.
    • Repeat steps 4-6 for different parts of the tree, leaving spaces (holes) for branches.
    Repeat steps 4-6 for different parts of the tree, leaving spaces (holes) for branches.Repeat steps 4-6 for different parts of the tree, leaving spaces (holes) for branches.Repeat steps 4-6 for different parts of the tree, leaving spaces (holes) for branches.
    Applying Base Layer (Summer Tree)

  5. Painting the Trunk (Summer Tree)

    • Mix raw sienna light and burnt umber for the tree trunk, applying darker shades to the shadowed side.
    • Add darker burnt umber while the trunk is wet, to create depth.
    Add darker burnt umber while the trunk is wet, to create depth.Add darker burnt umber while the trunk is wet, to create depth.
    Painting the Trunk (Summer Tree)

  6. Adding Branches (Summer Tree)

    • Use a small rigger brush to paint branches into the spaces left in the foliage, following their natural upward growth.
    Use a small rigger brush to paint branches into the spaces left in the foliage, following their natural upward growth.
    Adding Branches (Summer Tree)

  7. Applying Base Layer (Autumn Tree)

    • Apply light mix, starting in the middle of the tree where you want the most paint, and gradually move outwards as the brush runs out of paint.
    • Layer medium mix, starting in the middle and moving outward, overlapping the light mix.
    • Apply dark mix to the shadowed side of the tree, starting in the middle and moving outwards.
    • Repeat steps 4-6 for different parts of the tree, leaving spaces (holes) for branches.
    Repeat steps 4-6 for different parts of the tree, leaving spaces (holes) for branches.Repeat steps 4-6 for different parts of the tree, leaving spaces (holes) for branches.Repeat steps 4-6 for different parts of the tree, leaving spaces (holes) for branches.
    Applying Base Layer (Autumn Tree)

  8. Painting the Trunk (Autumn Tree)

    • Mix raw sienna light and burnt umber for the tree trunk, applying darker shades to the shadowed side.
    • Add darker burnt umber while the trunk is wet, to create depth.
    Add darker burnt umber while the trunk is wet, to create depth.Add darker burnt umber while the trunk is wet, to create depth.
    Painting the Trunk (Autumn Tree)

  9. Adding Branches (Autumn Tree)

    • Use a small rigger brush to paint branches into the spaces left in the foliage, following their natural upward growth.
    Use a small rigger brush to paint branches into the spaces left in the foliage, following their natural upward growth.
    Adding Branches (Autumn Tree)

Read more: 7 Top Paint Color Trends for 2024: A Complete Guide with Free Downloadable Resource

Tips

  • Leave 'bird holes' (spaces in the foliage) for adding branches later.
  • Don't strive for perfect realism; dots and dashes can create the impression of texture (land, stones).
  • For the tree trunk, try wetting the surface first and then dropping the colors in for a blended effect.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Using too much paint

Reason: Excessive paint clogs the brush bristles, resulting in muddy, indistinct shapes and loss of the dry brush texture.
Solution: Load only a small amount of paint onto the brush, and blend colors on the canvas, rather than on the brush.

2. Applying too much pressure

Reason: Heavy pressure creates thick, opaque strokes that obscure the canvas texture and lose the characteristic lightness of dry brushing.
Solution: Use a light touch and let the brush glide across the surface, allowing the canvas texture to show through.

3. Ignoring underpainting

Reason: Working on a blank canvas without any base color results in a flat-looking tree, lacking depth and vibrancy.
Solution: Apply a thin layer of a base color – such as a wash of yellow ochre or burnt umber – before dry brushing to enhance color depth and tonal variations.

FAQs

What kind of paint is best for dry brushing trees?
Acrylic paints work exceptionally well for dry brushing. They dry quickly, allowing for easy layering, and offer a wide range of colors.
What type of brush should I use for the dry brush technique?
A stiff-bristled brush, such as a hog bristle brush or a synthetic equivalent, is ideal. The bristles need to hold some paint but not be too soft or saturated.
How do I achieve the 'dry' effect in dry brush painting?
Only load a small amount of paint onto your brush. Wipe off most of the excess paint onto a paper towel before applying it to the canvas. The brush should feel almost dry to the touch.