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TUTORIAL // stylizing trees & plants (Patreon)

Published:
2022-01-24 10:39:36
Edited:
2024-08-07 10:32:11
Imported:
2026-06
Tags:

Content

Happy Monday everyone! It’s time for the monthly tutorial! This one is on drawing stylized plants & trees, and the main reason I chose this topic was because it touches on a few other subjects that I wanted to discuss. The main topics covered in this tutorial are:

• Which kinds of reference images are helpful / unhelpful for creating stylized studies

• How to depart from the reference image to create a stylized look

• How to avoid falling into automatic “copying what I see” behavior when rendering

• Balancing detail with simplicity

As always, I’m using the Macalabs HB pencil brush to sketch, and a simple hard round brush to paint and render. Here are the reference images I used (which I got from Unsplash) in case you want to replicate the exercise: 

You can replicate this workflow with any brush you like and in any digital drawing software you prefer. Let me know if you have any questions, I’m happy to elaborate on anything I talk about in this video! ❤

Files

Comments

Delphine David

Coucou Lois ! C'est l'un des meilleurs tutoriels de ta collection ! Tellement bien expliqué et complet ! Moi qui reste souvent coincée dans ce "mode réaliste", surtout en peinture à l'huile, ça me permet de comprendre et voir comment je peux en sortir plus facilement.

Shark Bee

How do you get your selections so clean;; Im always so impressed with your ability to keep the selections so rounded :>

Loish
>>137772067

thanks! i redo them a lot - since they're not permanent i can just retry until it looks right.

Suteja Rao

I love this one.. Just wondering how the color and rendering can be translated to paint medium (non digital)? One thing is the color hierarchy needs to be thought of before working from light to dark. I am looking at watercolours and markers. Do you have tips on that?

Zoë Brooking

I was just thinking yesterday about asking you for some tips on drawing flowers and this appears! Thank you so much :). I was also wondering if you might consider a cloud studies tutorial at some point? I struggle with capturing their light, translucent fluffiness (like you have depicted in your "marshmallow" painting).

Juan Gagliardo

Can't wait to get home to watch! Your tutorials are the best!

ChrisiaDraws

Oh, I'm super exited about this one! I've been trying do draw more non human things lately and you flora is always so flowy and expressive ^^

Roms

OMG this must be my most favorite tutorial of yours yet!!! Trees and plants are lovely but I always find myself intimidated to draw them since their shape looks so complicated. I'm so excited to try this later <3

Adelle Gough

Hooraaaay omg I'm so excited to watch this later 😍 thank you 😁

Klara Art

Hi loish. I love your art and your personality You had the same problem I have now. I learned to draw mainly copied the photo. I drew portraits and similar drawings. Last year and something I'm trying to start more with my original artwork. I really want to be able to draw more my art and not just copy. I don't know where to start. I find that there is so much ways and I am overwhelmed with information. These days there are some many artist, tutorials, course for art ( schoolism, domestica, skillshare), youtobe etc... I feel like i can't draw and my 5 years of drawing was useless because I can only copy a photo and i try to learn it differently, but like I'm hanging out in a circle. Does one learn anything when they draw according to the photos? And how you can learning from master ? A lot artist talk about copying artist artwork but can this help? How you think when you drawing and what is your mindset when you work with reference photo ? What is good start for this situation ? Thank you for everything what you doing. I love this tutorials and your art.

Tom

Really appreciate the tips and approaches, thank you Loish! Currently practicing stylized portraits and a lot of what is discussed is what I'm experiencing too. For example using reference shots that's missing detail (as a beginner my visual library is small so it's guess work - lol), or copying too much on what I'm seeing vs. pushing the line work to be more stylized. Especially when it comes to playing around with inking on paper and realizing that there is no undo button despite my muscle memory reaching for the ctrl-z - lol!! Great tutorial, thanks again!

Reelynn

This is exactly what I have been needing! I am really struggling with stylizing things instead of creating them realistically. Your tutorials have been so beneficial to me. Thanks so much!

Reelynn
>>76366932

I wish there were a ctrl-z also. I am also always trying to make the paper bigger with my fingers to get a closer look at the details I am trying to draw ;)

Tom
>>76366932

Ah, it's the worse when you're moving along well in your work and then that little experiment didn't pan out and you're like "undo, undo!!"... totally hear you on using your fingers to look at the details when drawing - lol.

JASON WILLIAMS

Thanks for another great tutorial Loish. It's nice to hear you say you once were a slave to reference because I think one of your great superpowers is stylizing everything you draw in this wonderful, interesting way. I fall into "realism mode" far too easily and these are great pointers to help develop a more stylized approach. You clearly put a lot of thought into your content and explain things very well. Thanks again.

Tom Nelson

Thank you, this was heally helpful.

Loish
>>76366932

haha yes, the lack of ctrl+z in real life is such a common struggle for digital artists. i struggle with keeping my focus on stylized art in my portraits as well, there will always be a part of my brain that just wants to copy!

Loish
>>76354931

hey klara! thanks for your kind words! it's true that there is so much information out there, so i can imagine your overwhelm. I also remember feeling this way when I was first starting out with more stylized art. I just didn't know if it was going anywhere and I was very frustrated. I think it's a normal part of the process of growing as an artist! It's very uncomfortable at first, and it takes a while to find your 'flow'. as for your questions.. you definitely learn a LOT from copying photos! you learn a lot about basic proportions, about observing reference, and techniques to capture realism. there's so much valuable stuff there, so please don't feel like you've learned nothing! I use the skills I learned from copying all the time in my art. i'd say these skills are just as important as being able to stylize or add your own twist. i think making master studies / studies of someone else's style can teach you interesting tricks or "solutions" that other artists have tried to create a certain look, and that's always valuable to try. however, they are not essential to developing your own style. so only do them if you're finding that they are helfpul to you! I want to make a future video on this subject of where to start if you aren't sure what to do, but for now, I have a video about exercises/warmups for improving your skills. it talks a lot about having a specific mindset before going into a study, that helps you focus when you are drawing. you can find it here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/tutorial-warmups-47743894 hope this helps in some way!

Loish
>>76336257

that's a good idea! I'm working on a cloud drawing so I might use that as the jumping off point for a step-by-step or tutorial vid!

Jill Anderson

Yaaaaaay I've been waiting for this one 🌳

Kat Craig

Ah I love this one! Plants and trees are definitely my go to when I'm heavily art blocked. I love seeing your process on this, thank you for such great tips!

Klara Art
>>76354931

Thank you for your answer. I really looking forward to the new video. Tomorrow I try the video about warmups. 💜☺️

Artic__

This is so crazy, like yesterday I was looking for a good tutorial of trees JAKAKSKSK the destiny

Loish
>>76427004

same, it's soothing to draw the colors and shapes that we find in nature!

Rafael Gallo

You keep blowing my mind ✨, thanks!

laetitia meynier

Awesome! I really struggle to not create a perfect copy when I'm studying photos, because like you, I learned to draw by copying the reality. It's so hard to explain to my brain that it's not the only way. 😅 So thank you so much for this tutorial, it helps to see your way of thinking! ✨

Sharon Tu

This really helped. Thank you. The tips and steps seem so simple but it’s constant reminder of simple simple simple and step back and main focus. Thank you again. Would love to see a city scape or car stylize. Thank you so much. I’m so grateful for your Patreon. I’ve gotten better with color and using procreate in different ways.

Sharon Tu
>>76556261

I agree! Also changing the way we see things and way of thinking is like neuroplasticity! Brain growth!

Klara Art
>>76336257

That is great. I'm looking forward to it and have you ever thought of something like a texture study? Have you ever tried something like this? And really thank you for your videos. I tried drawing with your videos and it is really helpful. Can we somewhere send you some our drawing ?

Tomara Maitra

What an amazing video, a clear glimpse into the process of minimalizing the forms. I, too, struggle with breaking away from photo realism. This was so helpful with the mindset, thank you for sharing this!

Kevin Casey

Weird request but could we get a tutorial in the form of a critique where you show us how you would approaching fixing some of the pieces we submit fora critique ? I've watched quite a few of Sinux Designs Paint over Pals Videos and its really interesting to see another artist almost tweak a "Finished Piece" , where I get to have a bit of insight on how we may fix the piece without having to start from scratch.

Loish
>>77168483

that's a great idea kevin! I wanted to offer that as one of the perks of a new tier, with a monthly assignment and then some notes/paintovers over a selection from the results.

Kevin Casey
>>77168483

I for one would sign up for that immediately, I'm a patron for a few artists and I can safely say your tutorials are the easiest to follow along with :) I'm sure most of your patreons would enjoy that

Holly

"Work small" may be just the cue I need. Thank you! I can't wait to try these tips out. Realism is very hard for me to escape.

Matthew Forrest @mftrees.art

I pretty much *just* draw trees and I still found some really great ideas here. Didn't think I'd learn how to take better reference photos of trees, and it's really useful to see how you adjust and correct things as you go along.

Michele Arrieta

Thank you so much for this tutorial. I am someone who's spent years drawing realistically and then spent years trying to change that mindset and push towards more stylized work. This tutorial hits the spot.

Anton Egorov

Thanks for setting the right mindset and guidance on what to focus on. I followed the tutorial, and it was one of the most deliberate practices. Botanical drawings are so chill and forgiving, giving more room for experiments. I see how I transfer these concepts to my figure drawings too. Thanks for resharing on Twitter btw. It helps a lot!

cozycorner_illo

This was so helpful and refreshing to watch!!

Loish
>>77270775

so glad you enjoyed it! I loved how your sktech turned out so I couldn't help but share it as soon as I saw it :)

Anonymous

This is incredibly 😍, how are you be able to create such flowly lines? How can I be able to draw lines and forms with movement and rhythm like you do?

Haru Hal Lune

This was so helpful! I am currently trying to apply the things you mentioned. Thank you again! Also, as a resource for others: unsplash has wonderful reference pictures that are very good and informative in many of the ways Loish talks about

Amy Beh Art

The first video that i've watched of yours, and it's precisely what I needed. I have felt like a copy robot for so long, and started to think I might not have my own ideas and style at all. I wanted to work on that and this is the perfect approach! Thank you for this!! I'm very much looking forward to putting this in practice and watching more of your videos.

Loish
>>77942543

so glad you liked it Amy! I think everyone has their own style, but sometimes it's hard to identify it and really build on it. Exercises like this can help you to 'find' your own approach :)

Loish
>>77787449

thank you! I think it's mainly about practice and building confidence in your lines! and also having a good brush with some texture so that the lines feel more organic. I definitely recommend practicing with speed sketching and gesture sketching to build more confidence.

Anonymous

How you teach yourself to draw in a certain way, or to assimilate certain style characteristics?

Gary Stamp

Hey there, I am brand new to your channel and loving all the content so far but I have an issues right now with this video. I get around ten minutes into it and it just stops withe the word 'Error" appearing next to the play button at the bottom of the screen. I have tried reloading it and refreshing the page but the error message keeps on appearing at the bottom and I am unable to watch it.

Loish
>>80066365

thanks for letting me know! looks like something went wrong with the patreon upload, I'll reach out to them so it can be solved!

Rosa J

Hi! I’m having a similar issue to what Garry Stamp was having with this video, with the “error” thing… is there any way to fix this?

MASA

thank you so much it s my first comment i'm new

andy_illustrates

Oh Loish it is so wonderful to hear someone talk about how they started with realism and had to find a way to switch mindset. Sometimes when trying to draw from imagination I can't understand why I can draw so well from life but fail so much in that sense! So this helped loads!

Julianne

Hi Loish, just wondering about 31:15 the image was coloured in Green using the lasso tool, then went onto correct the selection of colour green to the drawing image better? How did you do this? Thanks

Loish
>>93324067

hey Julianne! I used the hue/saturation tool to correct the color. let me know if that answers your question!

Julianne

Hey loish, It’s the bit before the hue/saturation. It’s when the correction of the silhouette happens I can’t get? Happy birthday!

Loish
>>93363417

thanks! and oh, now I see what you mean! I just corrected it manually by painting it in, but edited that bit out since it is a bit tedious and takes the momentum out of the tutorial!