Eucalyptus trees, commonly known as gum trees, are iconic symbols of Australia With their tall, straight trunks, bushy canopies, and peeling bark, they are easily recognizable. Learning to draw a eucalyptus tree is a great way to capture the unique beauty of these trees and create an Australian landscape scene. In this step-by-step guide, we will walk through the process of drawing a eucalyptus tree using simple shapes and lines
Gather Your Drawing Materials
Make sure you have the right drawing supplies on hand before you start. For drawing a eucalyptus tree, you will need:
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Blank white paper or sketchbook paper works best for paper. Try to use heavier paper that can handle being erased and blended.
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Pencil – HB and 2B pencils are good options. HB is used for lighter sketching and 2B for darker shading.
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Eraser – A kneaded eraser is helpful for lifting graphite smoothly.
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Blending stump or tissue – Used to blend and soften pencil strokes.
Once you have gathered your materials, you are ready to start sketching your eucalyptus tree!
Sketch the Basic Tree Shape
Let’s begin by lightly sketching the basic shape of the tree using simple lines and shapes:
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Draw a straight vertical line near the center of your paper. This will be the trunk. Leave plenty of room at the top for the canopy.
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Draw a slightly curved horizontal line that shows the ground at the bottom of the trunk line.
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On the left side of the trunk, sketch a sideways teardrop shape. This will be the basic shape for the left side of the canopy.
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On the right side, draw another teardrop shape that mirrors the left side.
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Connect the points of the teardrops with curved lines to complete the basic outline of the canopy.
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To show thick branches, draw two straight lines going down from the bottom of the canopy shape.
Take your time with the initial outline. It helps to lightly sketch the shapes and lines so you can adjust and erase as needed.
Refine the Trunk and Branches
With the basic tree sketched, we can start refining the details. Let’s work from the bottom up:
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Widen the trunk at the base where it meets the ground. Eucalyptus trunks tend to be thicker near the base.
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On the two main branches, draw a “V” shape fork where smaller branches will connect.
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Add more “V” shaped forks along the main branches for smaller branching.
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Draw the branches tapering in width and length as you move up the tree.
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Erase any unnecessary sketch lines in the trunk and branches.
Take your time detailing the trunk and branches. Consider adding knots, bumps, or gnarly textures to show the aged, weathered look of eucalyptus bark.
Draw the Canopy and Foliage
Now we can bring the canopy to life:
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On the ends of the branches, draw small “V” shapes to represent twigs and stems.
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Draw leaf clusters at the ends of the twigs using short, scribbly lines. Keep the leaves sparse near the tips.
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Move down each branch, adding more leaf clusters. Overlap the leaves around the branches to give a 3D effect.
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Try varying the shapes and sizes of the leaf clusters. Eucalyptus leaves can be round, oblong, or spear-shaped.
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Add a few leaves along the upper part of the trunk for variety.
The foliage is what gives the eucalyptus tree its iconic bushy canopy look. Take your time scribbling and shading the leaves.
Add Shadows and Ground Details
The final steps are adding shadows and ground details:
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Lightly shade the side of the trunk facing away from the light source. Darken the shadows where branches intersect.
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Shade larger patches beneath the tree canopy to show cast shadows.
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Draw choppy grass, pebbles, or dirt at the tree base. Add a few rocks if desired.
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With a kneaded eraser, lighten any distracting sketch lines or smudges.
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Darken and refine any details as needed with your 2B pencil.
The shadows help ground the tree and emphasize the light source. Don’t forget to sign your finished artwork!
Tips for Drawing Eucalyptus Trees
Here are a few quick tips to help you succeed when drawing eucalyptus trees:
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Study reference photos so you understand the proportions and structure.
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Start with light sketch lines to map out the basic shape.
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Draw the trunk and branches first, then add foliage on top.
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Overlap leaf clusters around branches to show depth.
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Vary the leaf shapes and sizes for realistic variety.
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Use strong cast shadows below the canopy.
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Take your time and pay attention to the details!
With a bit of practice and patience, you will be drawing fabulous eucalyptus trees. The unique details are what brings these iconic trees to life on paper.
Now that you know how to draw a basic eucalyptus tree step-by-step, try experimenting with different shapes, poses, or styled renditions. You could draw a eucalyptus grove, lone desert eucalyptus, or even an imaginative rainbow eucalyptus! Let the creative ideas flow and enjoy bringing these classic Australian trees to life through drawing.
