[Help] Making 2D landscape appear 3D

Hopefully I made the correct choice in starting this thread here instead of in the RMVX Resources board. I apologize if I was incorrect  :O

I have been attempting to make a sloping hill with trees in the backdrop with a house on the top of the hill ... and I believe that I have been failing badly. Would anyone have any suggestions on how I would better go about adding depth to this image?



[ With trees ]


[ Without trees ]



EDIT: Tried a few more things, but something still seems off to me. Maybe it's because I've been working on it so long ... I'm not sure.  :|   


[ With trees ]


[ Without trees ]

The gallery is a forum for art not related to game making by 2k, 2k3, XP, VX, GameMaker, etc. So I'll just move it to the VX Resources for now, since you've indicated that that is what you're using. No problem about posting in a different place.

Basically this will be the final edit unless anyone has any suggestions for me. The trail seems kind of 'off' to me still ... but I don't really want to put it on a slant, as that will make it difficult for the player to move down.

You're doing pretty good, I think. Basically, you would just create a gradient lightest at the top of the hill and darkest at the bottom, like you've pretty much done. You've done a good job giving the hill a 2nd perspective at the left side of the path leading down the trees. I think the only thing that might help is if the trees had shadows and if the trees got progressively darker as they go 'down' the hill. Great job otherwise.