How to Make a Tree Seem Really, Really Tall

These sequoias are really, really tall! How can you paint them successfully?

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If you’ve been following this column over the years, you’ll note that I’m very fond of sketching and painting trees. I love them because each one is an individual, a character—unique in shape, form and attitude. But very tall trees can be a problem. How does an artist convey the height effectively?

Here are some of the tricks I use. At the end, I’ll tell you about my favorite one, and it doesn’t have to do with the actual painting at all, but how the painting is hung on the wall.