The completed graphic is yours to do with as you please since I am not supplying selections, images, or fills.  The tutorial itself is copyrighted and must follow my terms of use HERE.

In this tutorial you will make a gradient to use and use smudging.  This way each tree you make will be unique and different. 

First we will prepare a gradient to use.
Set Foreground color of your choice (I used #00EE11)
Set Background color of your choice (I used #008000)
For the white tree, I used White Foreground & #BFDEFB Background

Make your Foreground null
Background Gradient Jasc Foreground – Background
• Liner (top)
• Angle 180
• No Repeats
• Invert checked
Click on the Edit button and set as follows:

New Transparent Image 350 X 425

New Layer
Preset Shapes – Jasc Tear Drop
Draw a narrow tear drop near center bottom of work.
* Copy (Ctrl C) & Paste as a New Selection (Ctrl E)
Image – Rotate (Ctrl R)
• Left
• Free
• 15%
• Make sure All layers box is not checked
Use the Mover Tool to place slightly to the right – overlapping a little
Repeat from the * two more times. 
Deselect (Ctrl D)
Copy (Ctrl C) & Paste as a New Selection (Ctrl E)
Image – Mirror 
Use Mover Tool to place with center tear drop over the first one.
Deselect (Ctrl D)

Right click on Layer2 on the Layer Palette and duplicate.
Image – Resize 85% (Shift S)
Use Mover Tool to drag up a little
Repeat the last three steps making sure you always duplicate the top layer on the Layer Palette.  Make as many copies as you feel necessary for tree shape.  This can vary depending on the size of you original tear drop shape.
This is what my tree and Layer Palette look like.

Click on all the glasses on the Layer Palette except Layer1 & Layer2

Click on Layer2 to make it the active layer.
Use Retouch Tool (pointing finger) – Smudge (2nd tab) – Settings (1st tab) shown in image.  Smudge some dark color from the bottom up first.  You won’t need as much smudged up in the center because it’s already darker.  Then smudge down and out.  When you satisfied with the results go to the next layer up – click on it – and repeat smudging.  As you go up, you may want to decrease size.  SAVE as you go!

When satisfied, empty Clipboard & Command History.  (Under Edit – Empty)

I went back over each layer with the Smudge size 15 to add more definition. SAVE as you go!

Then I used the Darken RGB (2nd tab) to darken under branches of each layer.  Settings will vary depending on size and color you used.  The settings I used on Darken RGB (given in order 26 – 12 – 26 – 30 – 100).

You can use Lighten RGB, Darken RGB, and Smudge to add more definition. 
PaintEngine filter is fun to play with on this also.  You can get some interesting effects.  It’s a free filter you can get HERE.

Experiment and have fun!  Change colors and sizes of original shape to make more.  Each tree will be unique and different.

Hope you enjoyed playing with this tutorial!

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