Plein Air Paintings of Trees > English poet and painter William Blake wrote, “The tree which moves some to tears of joy is in the eyes of others only a green thing that stands in the way … to the eyes of the man of imagination, nature is imagination itself.” Here, we share unique views of trees, shrubs, and foliage that have sparked our imagination and are sure to bring joy to all who experience them.
1. Jim Rehak, “Gnarly,” 2022, oil, 12 x 16 in., Available from artist, Plein air2. Val Sandell, “Golden Light on the Cache la Poudre,” 2023, oil, 11 x 14 in., Available from artist, Plein air3. Adam Houston, “Sentinels,” 2024, oil, 20 x 20 in., Available from artist, Plein air4. Anton Pavlenko, “High Spirits,” 2023, oil, 30 x 40 in., Private collection, Plein air5. Brad Teare, “Late Summer Morning,” 2022, oil, 20 x 20 in., Available from artist, Plein air6. Sharon Weaver, “Out to Pasture,” 2024, oil, 8 x 16 in., Available from artist, Plein air7. Carole Belliveau, “Autumn Color,” 2024, oil, 6 x 8 in., Available from Underwood Gallery, Santa Fe, NM, Plein air8. Emma Kalff, “Trees in the Valley,” 2023, oil, 7 x 12 in., Available from artist, Plein air9. Farley Lewis, “Reflections,” 2023, acrylic, 16 x 12 in., Private collection, Plein air10. Mike Hernandez, “Aged and Brittle,” 2016, gouache, 8 x 10 in., Private collection, Plein air11. Cecy Turner, “Autumn’s First Clue,” 2023, watercolor, 15 x 11 in., Available from artist, Plein air12. Margaret Larlham, “Kipepeo Beach, Tanzania,” 2024, pastel, 9 x 12 in., Available from artist, Plein air13. Gabriele Niegelhell, “Wine’s A-Coming,” 2023, oil, 5 x 7 in., Available from artist, Plein air and studio14. Poppy Balser, “Radiant Morning,” 2023, watercolor, 9 x 12 in., Available from artist, Plein air15. Larry Cannon, “Valley Eucs in the Setting Sun,” 2020, watercolor, 10 x 14 in., Available from artist, Plein air16. Susan Lynn, “Sketchbook Palm,” 2024, watercolor, 4 1/2 x 5 in., Private collection, Plein air17. Allen Brockbank, “Shining Through,” 2024, oil, 10 x 10 in., Private collection, Plein air
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Paul Kratter knows that when you’re painting trees, you’re really painting a portrait of that tree. Each tree is different … each has its own features and personality. And let’s face it, the trees have to be right or it can throw the whole painting off — the proportion, light, shadow, sky holes … it all has to be believable. And trees are a great compositional tool if you know how to use them to make your painting stronger. Learn more and preview Paul’s “Mastering Trees” art workshop here.
