How to Color Christmas Tree
Table of Contents
Holiday pages are cute, but figuring out the tree can feel weirdly confusing.
Which greens? How dark? How soft? Totally normal questions.
This guide on how to color Christmas tree gives you gentle with simple steps so the whole process feels lighter and more fun.
Tools We Reached For
- Ohuhu Markers
- Classic Christmas Tree: G3, YR5, GI, YRIO
- Pastel Christmas Tree: G120, RVI30, E220, G360, RVI80, EI20
- Glowing Christmas Tree: BG7, EI30, BGI, E430
- Snow-Covered Christmas Tree: PB9, EI30, PBII, E430
2. Guangna Acrylic Marker
- Classic Christmas Tree: 664, 822, 733
- Pastel Christmas Tree: 612, 628
- Glowing Christmas Tree: 605, 656
3. Other Tools
White gel pen for highlights, snow dots and sparkles.
Classic Christmas Tree
Sometimes the classic tree is the easiest to picture because it feels like the one we see every year. Here’s a quick way to do it:
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Step 1: Start by filling the whole tree with a light green base and a light brown trunk.
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Step 2: Add more depth by using a slightly darker green to shade the branches and draw gentle leaf strokes with your gel pen.
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Step 3: Make each ornament by adding small spots of Blue, Red and Yellow acrylic on the tree.
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Step 4: Finish with soft white gel pen highlights, a bit of darker shadow and a touch of yellow acrylic for a warm, sparkly look.
Pastel Christmas Tree
Pastel trees stand out when you want something soft and sweet without much effort. Here’s how to build that pastel look:
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Step 1: Start by adding pink and green layers as the base of the tree, then color the trunk with a light brown.
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Step 2: Use slightly deeper pink and green tones to add soft shadows along each layer of branches.
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Step 3: Add small details with a white gel pen and a few tiny touches of red and blue acrylics to decorate the ornaments.
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Step 4: Finish the tree with gentle highlights and a bit of extra bling using your white gel pen.
Tip: Keep your layers light so the pastel look stays soft and airy.
Glowing Christmas Tree
For a Christmas tree that really stands out, the glowing look gives you that bright, lit-up finish with just a few simple moves. Try it like this:
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Step 1: Start by laying down a deep green base for the whole tree and use a darker brown for the trunk.
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Step 2: Next, use a slightly darker green to shade under the branches and add small strokes to shape the needles.
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Step 3: Then add bright acrylic lines to outline the branches, create the LED glow and decorate the wires.
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Step 4: Finish by adding tiny inner highlights over all the acrylic lines using your white gel pen.
Tip: Lightly swipe fresh acrylic with your finger to create a soft glow around the ornaments.
Snow-Covered Christmas Tree
This style is perfect for days when you want your Christmas tree to feel peaceful and wintery without adding too many details. You can try it like this:
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Step 1: Start by laying down a cool green base for the tree, then add a light brown shade for the trunk.
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Step 2: Use a slightly darker green to deepen the branches and shape the shadows along each layer.
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Step 3: Add snow on the branches using a white gel pen or white acrylic, focusing on the upper edges where snow would naturally sit.
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Step 4: Use the white gel pen again to add tiny snow dots for a soft, snowy finish.
Tip: Let the snow layer dry first, then use Ohuhu PB1 to outline the shadow areas.
FAQs
What are common mistakes when drawing trees?
A common mistake is making the trunk shrink to fast, which gives the tree a carrot-like shape. Keeping the taper slow and gentle helps the tree look more natural.
How do I keep my lights on Christmas tree from looking messy or too bright?
Start with the soft glow, then add the tiny light dot on top. Keeping the edges gentle stops the lights from looking harsh. And it’s totally normal if each light looks a bit different, they do in real trees too.
What colors look best on a Christmas tree?
There isn't one “best” set of colors. It really depends on the mood you want, and most Christmas tree color ideas fall into a few familiar, cozy groups:
- Yellow, red and blue.
- Green, orange and purple.
- Red, green and white.
- Red, gold and white.
- Silver and gold.
Is it okay to mix pastels with deeper greens?
Yes, it works well. Pastels make the tree look soft and deeper greens give it a bit of depth. Just keep the lighter colors on the outer parts so the mix stays natural.
How can I make snow look soft instead of like white blobs?
Add the snow in thin layers and let some green peek through. A tiny shadow underneath makes the snow feel settled rather than stuck on top.
How do I avoid overworking the page when adding glow effects?
Stop as soon as you feel the light shape is there. Glow looks best when it’s barely touched. A small smudge or faint ring is often enough to carry the effect.
What if my Christmas tree already feels “too dark” before I add decorations?
Bright details can lift it. Try soft yellow dots, pale blue accents, or simple white lines. Tiny touches often brighten the mood without repainting the whole tree.
What’s the best way to color snow on a Christmas tree?
The best way to color snow is to keep it light and soft. Use a thin layer of white, let a bit of green peek through and add a tiny cool shadow underneath. It gives the snow a gentle, settled look without overpowering the tree.
