How to Draw Realistic Palm Trees

Palm trees are a great and surprisingly common drawing subject. But a common mistake can leave them looking more like the background in a cartoon than like a real tree. This videos explains both the mistake, but also how to avoid it and draw a great looking palm tree.

[@grobknoblin5402]

This has to be one of if not the best drawing tutorial I've ever seen! You explained it so completely it almost feels easy! you are an excellent teacher and an inspiration! I am a relative beginner so most of the stuff I make even following tutorials looks pretty bad but finally after watching you I understand the process enough to make things that are good enough to make me want to keep going and not quit! You are amazing!!!!!!

[@stephentraversart]

The fact that you want to draw shows you have it within yourself. Have confidence and trust your intuition. You want to let your own particular style emerge. And always have fun. 😀

[@needlemuse367]

Oh my, this is so great. Stephen, I have a beginner's question for you: you frequently highlight the importance of studying the subject we're about to draw. What does that look like in practice? Do you devote a certain amount of minutes observing it and noticing the areas of light and shadow, proportions etc? Does it involve anything else other than looking intently? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[@stephentraversart]

If you go back through my content to my earliest videos, about 18 months ago, you'll find four videos on how I observe: Observation for Drawing #1, #2, #3, #4. But I've made about 500 videos since then, so maybe you could use search. I am thinking of making somethings new, but those four videos contain four different ways I approach observation for drawing.

[@needlemuse367]

Thank you Stephen. I'm new to your channel, so I didn't know you already had videos on this topic. I will definitely search for them. Thanks!@@stephentraversart

[@gnarthdarkanen7464]

Well... at the risk of sounding a bit vindictive, I'm SO GLAD that I'm not the only one who slips in scale to draw things a little too small for what they should be in the picture... As much as I'd like to think someday I'd just grow out of that, I suspect at this point "Someday never comes..." (to rob poor John Fogerty for the eloquence of lyrics)... ;o)

[@andreaslerbrink7537]

Love to you Steven, from Sweden. Learning much from your videos. Especially your tone sketches ❤

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks Andreas. That’s great to hear and I appreciate your telling me. 😀

[@clebersonsouza4029]

fico admirado com o nível das suas habilidades

[@stephentraversart]

Obrigado. É muito gentil da sua parte me dizer. :)

[@generalbooty4939]

Great video and great advice! Thank you!

[@stephentraversart]

Encouraging to hear. Thanks 😀

[@sarahnoda]

really well done... not sure I can do it as nicely though.

[@stephentraversart]

Practice will make all the difference. The most important thing is to learn to see and draw what’s there, not try and take a shortcut with a childhood memory cartoon palm tree. You can do it!

[@ahmedmansour9645]

very useful one - many thanks Stephen

[@stephentraversart]

So glad you think so Ahmed. 😀

[@efrainjesusuntiverospizzar4955]

That technique stands out

[@stephentraversart]

Glad it’s made sense for you. Have fun drawing palm trees!😀

[@muzolotl0119]

I couldn't even do the first leaf

[@stephentraversart]

Hmmmm. If you have done real palms you can look at, spend some time looking at them. Pay particular attention to how the fronds that come straight out at you look, and the ones to each side that are at an angle. Try and absorb how they look different to the side on ones. That’s the difference we are trying to capture. Keep at it. 😀