Easy Step by Step Palm Trees
Who doesn’t adore beautiful palm tree drawings? They are captivating and can be transformed into incredible works of art. So let’s dive into this easy step-by-step lesson on how to draw palm trees.
There are two main types of palm tree drawings: one with full, blocked-in leaves, and another with flowing, wispy leaves. We will explore both styles and provide examples within this tutorial.
Of course, these instructions are quite general, and in reality, there are endless possibilities when it comes to drawing palm trees. The intention here is to simplify the process and get you started on your artistic journey. Remember, perfection is not necessary when you start drawing anything. In fact, imperfections often add character to a drawing and help develop your own unique style. Above all else, drawing should be enjoyable!
If you’re seeking inspiration for your palm tree drawings, take a moment to browse through these stunning photos of palm trees.
Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links. This means I receive a small commission for purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you.
Art Supplies
- Sharpie marker (fine point)
- Pitt artist pen by Faber-Castell
- Paper
How to Draw Palm Leaves
Let’s begin with the first type of palm tree drawing, which features fuller leaves. This style leans towards a cartoonish look rather than realism. We’ll cover the other style later in the tutorial.
Start by sketching out guides for your leaves. I usually start with five lines and add more as needed. These lines will eventually become part of the leaves, so don’t worry about drawing them too lightly. For this demonstration, I used a fine point Sharpie marker.
Choose one of the five lines you’ve drawn and fill in your leaf shape around it. The order in which you draw the leaves is not crucial. The only difference is that you’ll typically work from front to back when overlapping the leaves.
When drawing the individual leaves, I usually taper them to be narrower at both ends and thicker towards the center. The ends of the leaves should come to a point. To add more visual interest, consider drawing notches in the leaves. Continue this process until all the leaves are drawn.
To complete the top portion of your tree, add a few coconuts. In drawing and composition, it’s often best to work with uneven numbers, so I added three coconuts to my drawing.
How to Draw Palm Tree Trunks
Just like with leaves, palm tree trunks can be drawn in various ways; however, the basic shape of the trunk typically remains the same. When sketching the trunk, make it narrower at the top and wider at the bottom. A slight curve can add more visual appeal.
The bark of the trunk allows for more experimentation. You can choose any style you like, as long as it conveys the rounded shape of the trunk. In my drawing, I used curved lines to achieve this effect.
Here are some variations for drawing the trunk, although there are numerous other possibilities as well.
How to Draw Palm Trees on the Beach
To avoid a floating palm tree appearance, add some grass or sand at the tree’s base. These additional details will create a beach-like atmosphere around your palm tree.
You can choose to draw a complete beach scene, featuring a beautiful sunset or an ocean view. Alternatively, you can simply include small beach elements to enhance the overall composition.
I also added an additional leaf at the top left of the drawing to fill the empty space. Don’t be afraid to make changes and adjustments as you go along. Take a step back, assess your palm tree drawing, and make any modifications you desire. Remember, it’s always possible to change something if you’re not satisfied.
If you don’t like something, feel free to make changes.
How to Draw a Palm Tree Silhouette
In this section, I’ll demonstrate how to draw a palm tree silhouette. This method is quick and yields drawings that, despite being less detailed, often appear more realistic than our previous palm tree drawings.
Once again, start by sketching guidelines for the palm leaves. A brush pen is ideal for this type of drawing. My personal favorite is the Pitt artist pen by Faber-Castell. These pens are affordable, and I’ve been using them for years.
Next, add individual lines to represent the palm leaf fronds. The tapered ends of these lines will create a more polished look and flow for your drawing. You can choose to keep the guidelines as the top portion of each leaf, or add brush strokes to both sides. Remember to fill in the trunk with black to achieve a silhouette effect.
Continue adding lines to form each palm leaf until all guidelines are completed. Finish off your drawing by adding grass at the base to prevent the tree from appearing as if it’s floating. Most palm tree drawings include a beach scene, so feel free to include various beach elements.
Palm Tree Artwork
I hope you’ve enjoyed this art tutorial on how to draw palm trees and feel inspired to create your own. The palm tree artworks shown at the beginning of this lesson were drawn on artist trading cards using a watercolor technique that I’ve recently been experimenting with. If you’re interested, you can learn all about it in the Splashed Background ATC Tutorial.
The best way to improve your palm tree drawings is through practice. Why not take on a palm tree drawing challenge and see how many different designs you can come up with? This exercise is an excellent opportunity to push your creativity and develop your unique artistic style.
Get Your FREE Drawing Challenge Guide
Drawing palm trees is both easy and enjoyable. There’s plenty of room for creativity and personal style. The more you practice drawing them, the better your skills will become.
Once you’ve mastered the art of drawing palm trees, the possibilities are endless. You can use them in various projects, such as personalized artwork for your loved ones.
More Art Tutorials
- Pencil Shading for Beginners
- Artist Trading Cards Guide
- How to Blend Markers
- Graffiti Letters Art Tutorial
