Family trees are graphs or drawings that depict the ancestry of a certain individual or family. Using actual parts of a tree to depict the lines of ancestry is an appropriate and visually appealing format to use. If desired, use different colored leaves to depict different levels of family. Use foliage colors for inspiration. Incorporate tree branches from different seasons, such as bare branches in winter and budding trees in spring to depict different generations.
- Skill level:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things you need
- Pencil
- Paper
- Markers, crayons, colored pencils or paint
- Paint brush (optional)
-
1
Research your family tree and jot down the ancestry line on a scrap piece of paper.
-
2
Lightly lay out the placement of the family members on the paper to be used in the project to make sure everything fits and is spaced out accordingly.
-
3
Darken the names of the family members with a dark crayon, marker or paint.
-
4
Draw a leaf around each person's name in the style and color of your choosing. If you fill the leaf in with color, make sure the name is still legible. You may need to go back over the name with a dark color afterward.
-
5
Draw tree branches in between each name to connect the names on the family tree. If desired, draw a giant tree trunk down the center of the paper, to further tie in the tree idea. You can lay out your tree however you like, but logically it makes the most sense to have the oldest relatives at the base of the tree, near the tree roots, and have younger generations progress above, with the youngest at the very top of the tree.
Tips and warnings
- When formatting a family tree siblings and spouses should be on equal lines or branches, since they are of the same generation. For example, connect the names of two siblings by having them as two leaves on the same branch, showing that they are equal and level in generation, regardless if one is slightly or significantly older than the other. The purpose of the family tree is to make visual the layers of generations.
