In this quick tutorial youll learn how to draw an Olive Tree in 5 easy steps – great for kids and novice artists.
The s above represents how your finished drawing is going to look and the steps involved.
Below are the individual steps – you can click on each one for a High Resolution printable PDF version.
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As someone who’s always loved spending time outdoors sketching nature, olive trees hold a special place in my heart. With their gnarled trunks, silvery-green leaves, and exotic fruit, they have such unique character and beauty.
If you want to learn how to capture that beauty in your own drawings, you’ve come to the right place! Drawing realistic trees can seem daunting but have no fear – this easy step-by-step olive tree drawing tutorial breaks it down into simple stages. We’ll go from sketching basic shapes to adding intricate detail, so you can develop your artistic skills as you follow along.
Even if you’re a total beginner you’ll be amazed what you can achieve by the end! Here’s what we’ll cover
Step 1: Sketch the Basic Tree Shape
First, lightly sketch the basic shape of the olive tree using simple lines and shapes. Here are some tips to nail down the foundation:
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Draw a large upside-down U shape for the main canopy. Olive trees often have a rounded, dome-like shape.
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Add a curved line below for the tree trunk. Angle it slightly to one side.
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Draw some basic large branches coming off the sides of the trunk at different heights and angles.
At this stage, keep your lines light and sketchy. We’ll add more detail later. Focus on getting the overall form in place.
Step 2: Add the Trunk and Branches
Now let’s build up from our basic structure and start mapping out the trunk and branches:
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Thicken the trunk and make it slightly irregular with bumps and knots. Olive tree trunks tend to look gnarly and twisted.
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Draw the main branches extending from the trunk, with some smaller branches shooting off of them. Angle them randomly.
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Use curved, zigzaggy lines to illustrate the natural movement and flow of the branches.
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Vary the line weight – make some branches thick and some more slender. Remember trees have a logical growth pattern, with branches getting progressively thinner toward the top.
Step 3: Draw the Leaves and Foliage
Here comes the fun part – transforming our bare tree into a leafy masterpiece! To draw lively olive leaves and foliage:
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First sketch small, teardrop shapes radiating outwards from the ends of the branches. This represents the basic leaf clusters.
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Draw tiny ovals to fill out the overall shape of the foliage at the ends of branches.
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Finally, draw many individual oblong leaves sprouting from branches, varying the sizes and angles. Olives leaves are elongated and pointy.
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Make the leaves dense toward the outer canopy, and sparser closer to the inner trunk. Use a feather-light touch so the leaves look delicate and wispy.
Step 4: Include Additional Details like Olives and Shadows
You can take your olive tree to the next level by incorporating extra details like:
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Olives – Add tiny oval shapes scattered throughout the foliage to represent the fruit. Draw them in small clusters.
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Shadows – Since olive trees are so bulbous, they cast interesting shadows. Use shading to show the sunlight hitting parts of the rounded form.
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Textures – With a kneaded eraser, lift out highlights along some edges of leaves to convey their semi-transparent, silvery texture.
Work lightly when adding extra elements so the initial structure still shows through.
Step 5: Finish With Inking and Coloring (optional)
Once your pencil sketch is complete, you may want to finish it off by inking over the main lines and adding color. Here are some tips:
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Inking – Trace over the key contours with black pen or marker. This will neaten and define the drawing.
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Coloring – Paint the leaves with cool greens and grays. Add earthy browns to the trunk and warm golden green hues to the olives.
And that’s it – you officially know how to draw an olive tree! With practice and patience, you can develop this basic process into your own realistic rendition.
Here are some final tips before you embark on your olive tree drawing journey:
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Use photo references to understand the structure. Studying real olive trees helps enormously.
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Take it one step at a time. Don’t be discouraged if your first attempts feel clumsy. Tree drawing is a skill built over time.
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Relax and have fun! Art should be enjoyable. Draw olive trees because you appreciate their beauty.
Now you have all the techniques you need to start drawing olive trees like a pro. Be patient with yourself, delight in the creative process, and let your love for these magnificent trees shine through in your art. I can’t wait to see the masterpieces you create!
How to Draw an Olive Tree – Step-by-Step Tutorial
Step 1: First, draw the trunk. Draw a straight line that curves to the left toward the top. A few spaces over, draw another line that mirrors the last line and curves the same direction.
Step 2: Next, draw the roots. Draw a few small wavy lines along the bottom of the trunk.
Step 3: Now, draw the branches. From the left side of the trunk, draw a curved line that curves inward and then slightly back out at the end. On the right side of the trunk, do the same thing. Leave a little space and draw a small line that mirrors the end of your outward curve on the left. From that line, draw a small line going up and mirror those lines with a long line but leaving a little space. Mirror the line on the right side leaving a little space. Now draw two wavy line on either side of your inside lines to make one long branch in the middle.
Step 4: Then, draw the twigs. Coming out and along the sides of all the branches draw a long wavy lines with curved âVâsâ at the end.
Step 5: Finally, draw the leaves. Off of one of your twigs, draw a small wavy line with three ovals at the end. Draw this all over your twigs for the leaves.
How to Draw a Olive Tree Easy step by step
FAQ
How do you plan an olive tree?
Planting Tips
Olive trees need to receive at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight. Full sun is ideal. Spacing should be about 10 feet apart. Dig the planting hole about the same size as the container.
How do you shape a small olive tree?
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1. Establish a Framework:When the tree is young, select 3-4 strong, outward-facing branches to form the main structure.
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2. Remove Vertical Growth:Remove any branches growing straight up from the main trunk, as they tend to compete for resources and don’t produce as many olives.
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3. Thin Out Crowded Areas:Remove branches that are crossing over each other, growing towards the center, or are weak or diseased.
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4. Encourage Lateral Growth:Prune back vertical branches to encourage outward growth from the main branches, creating a more open, vase-like shape.
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5. Maintain Airflow:Pruning helps improve airflow within the tree, reducing the risk of fungal diseases and promoting healthy growth.
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6. Remove Low Branches:If desired, you can gradually remove lower branches as the tree matures to create a more formal appearance, as discussed in a NOLA.com article.
How to draw an olive tree?
To draw an olive tree, you will need the following materials: These materials will help you create a realistic and detailed drawing of an olive tree. Start by drawing a vertical line to represent the tree trunk. Then, roughly sketch the outline of the tree canopy using basic shapes like ovals and circles.
How do you draw Three Olives?
Simply draw a small circle on the left side of your paper. Add another circle, but draw it slightly behind the first one. Repeat the second step for the third olive. You should now have drawn what looks like three overlapping circles. Now draw smaller circles inside each olive shape. Draw the toothpick that connects the three olives.
How to draw a perfect olive branch?
By following the simple steps, you too can easily draw a perfect Olive Branch. 1. Begin by sketching the stem. Draw two long, curved lines that run relatively parallel to one another. Bring them together at a point on one end. Connect them with a short curved line on the other. 2. Draw some olives.