Have the leaves started changing color in your neighborhood yet? Any day now you may look out the window and the green will be gone, but you’ll see some lovely reds, oranges, yellows, and browns. Fall is a season of beautiful colors, cooler weather and my favorite season to be outdoors. It’s a great time to take a long hike and find some big colorful leaves. Then bring those leaves back home to create some fun leaf art projects. I have listed 7 wonderful projects below that are not only fun to complete, but that will allow you to bring those gorgeous autumn colors indoors.
I have collected a few art projects that use fall leaves and are perfect for both adults and kids. I completed all of these projects using real leaves because leaves are plentiful where I live. However, if you live in the city or don’t have a yard, you probably could pick up some fallen leaves at a local park, or on a hiking trail.
A Little Info About Leaves
As you create the leaf prints, think about the various parts and functions of a leaf.
Parts of a leaf
Most leaves have two main parts. The blade and the petiole, or leafstalk. The leaves of some kinds of plants also have a third part, called the stipules. The Blade, or lamina, is the broad, flat part of the leaf. Photosynthesis occurs in the blade, which has many green food-making cells.
Why do leaves change colors?
In Autumn, as the days become shorter and cooler, the leaves stop their food-making process. As the chlorophyll breaks down, the green color disappears, and the yellow, orange, red and brown colors become visible and give the leaves their fall splendor. It is so beautiful to see a forrest or street lined with trees of so many different color leaves.
After completing these art projects, hang them on a window or wall and let your family get a good look at them. They will enjoy seeing some of this neat art that comes from nature. Plus, it’s adds a touch of Fall to your home.
Leaf people and creatures
This craft is super fun and easy to put together. Go for a walk around your yard, the park, or your neighborhood and gather colorful leaves of all shapes, sizes, and colors to make some adorable leaf people and leaf creatures. This craft is so easy. Kids will love it, and part of the fun is the leaf collecting. However, if you don’t have access to leaves, this project could easily be done with a package of fake leaves from the craft store. Plus those will last longer without preserving or laminating.
Supplies
- Leaves of all shapes and sizes and colors
- Glue
- Construction paper
- Markers and googly eyes
Directions
- Gather all your leaves.
- Lay them out into different designs to make leaf people and leaf creatures. There are so many options. I made a person, a dog, a dragon, several foxes, and some leaf stick characters.
- Once you have your design laid out, just glue the leaves to a piece of construction paper to make your person or creature. There is no right or wrong way. Get creative and try something new.
- Add googly eyes and marker at the end for the face.
- You can cut around the construction paper to make a smaller border, and/or to laminate and frame.
If you don’t preserve or laminate, the leaves will continue to dry out and get crunchy, so they won’t last long. However, it’s the fun of the project that’s most important. You can always take a picture of your completed project to keep if you like.
Leaf Rubbings
Leaf rubbing is a neat project that really helps you see the parts of a leaf. It helps you to notice the patterns and design in leaves that you might otherwise overlook. There’s so much beauty in nature, but sometimes you have to find a way to get closer to really see it all. Leaf rubbing is like making beautiful art from nature.
Pick up some beautiful leaves covering the ground, or pick some from trees. Look for different sizes and different shapes.
I especially enjoy this activity in late October and November. It’s very creative and one of many fun activities for kids that encourage them to get outside on those cool Fall days. Here are the details on what you’ll need for this project and how to make.
There are several options of paper types and mediums to use. You can try wax paper, tracing paper, or parchment paper, using crayon, oil pastels, or colored pencils. Try one, or try them all.
Supplies
- Leaves! Try to find larger ones in a variety of different shapes.
- Tracing paper
- Wax paper
- Parchment paper
- Aluminum foil
- Oil pastels (take the paper off)
- Crayons (take the paper off)
- Colored pencils
- 1 Clipboard
Directions
- Place the leaf on a 9 x 12 clipboard
- Cover the leaf with each type of paper you are using for the activity
- Turn each medium to the side, (oil pastels, crayons, colored pencils) and carefully rub over the top of the paper to see the outline and details of the leaf
Feel free to mix and match your papers and drawing supplies in any way you’d like to for the project. For example, you might use oil pastels with all three types of paper to examine how the leaf print looks different based on the type of paper. You can also use all three drawing tools (oil pastels, crayons, and colored pencils) on one piece of paper to create a more layered leaf collage.
Leaf rubbing with oil pastels
First, try an orange oil pastel on the wax paper.
Wax paper has a glossy surface and the oil pastel compliments it nicely. It really looks like a ‘wet’ print when you’re finished.
Leaf tracing with colored pencils
Try a purple colored pencil on the tracing paper.
With colored pencils, you only need to apply light pressure as you rub the side of the tip across the paper. If you push too hard, the pencil will rip the paper.
Leaf printing with crayons
Try a pink crayon to create a leaf print on the parchment paper.
Leaf prints on foil (Leaf Relief)
When using aluminum foil, you will just run the side of a pencil over the leaf to make an imprint in the foil. This will create a raised leaf print instead of a colored print. You can feel the maze of veins from the leaf.
Mix up the mediums and the types of paper to see what you like best.
Leaf rubbing collage
This is actually my favorite. To easily make a collage, use a pad of tracing paper, sandwich a leaf between the top sheet of paper and the rest of the stack. You can obviously do this with a single sheet of paper also, but I find that doing it with the whole pad helps the leaf stay in position. You don’t need to use the clip board on this one. Then, using a crayon or oil pastel on its side, gently rub the color all over the leaf allowing the magic to happen. One at a time, add leaf after leaf to create a beautiful leaf rubbing collage. Turn the leaves in all different directions, some vertical, some horizontal, some diagonal. Use a different color for each leaf.
Frame and hang to add a hint of nature and a pop of color to your home.
Charcoal Leaf Rubbing
Charcoal leaf rubbing is a great way to explore texture and pattern. I love color, but I think charcoal allows you to see and appreciate the natural beauty in the details and patterns of leaves without the distraction of color.
Supplies
- Leaves
- Charcoal sticks
- Paper – Traditionally you would use a heavy slightly textured paper when working with charcoal. However, if the paper is too heavy then the textures of the leaves won’t show through so just use standard low grade paper like printer or copy paper for this one.
Directions
- Place the leaf on a firm surface, under the paper and rub the charcoal stick over it.
- Experiment with holding the charcoal like a pencil or on its side.
- Turn your leaves in different directions on your paper, either vertical, horizontal, or diagonal.
- Flip your leaves over and rub with charcoal again. Notice how using the back side of the leaf changes the result.
Your hands will get blackened a bit by the charcoal because it’s so soft, but it washes off easily.
I love doing single leaf rubbings, but you can also build up elaborate leaf pictures using many leaves and exploring composition, grouping, layering and contrast.
Once your leaf art is finished be careful not to smudge it. Spraying some sealant or just plain aerosol hairspray over it will help seal it and keep it from smudging. Make sure to do this outside.
Groupings of charcoal leaf rubbings are so beautiful when framed in simple black frames, and hung on a wall. They look very high-end yet are very inexpensive to create. This is a perfect way to spruce up a room that needs a little re-decorating.
Leaf Tree Painting
With a few leaves and some acrylic or finger paints, you can create a beautiful tree for fall.
Supplies
- Leaves
- Acrylic or finger paint
- Paintbrushes
- White paper
Directions
- Paint the back side of a large leaf with a multitude of different colors. The back works better because the veins are more prominent.
- Before the paint dries, press the painted side against clean, white paper. This creates a beautiful tree because the leaf veins look like branches.
This is a great project for toddlers and younger children. They will love making their own leaf tree!
Watercolor Leaves
One of my favorite leaf art activities is making watercolor leaves. If you paint the leaves with white acrylic paint first, then watercolor afterwards they will have an almost tie-dye look to them. The watercolors also make a perfect canvas for fun doodles and designs. Follow the steps below to create your own beautiful watercolor leaf art that can be framed or used for decoration. If you don’t live in an area where you can obtain leaves to paint, just cut some leaf shapes out of watercolor paper, then follow the same directions below minus the original pressing.
Supplies
- Leaves – You don’t want your leaves to be too dry when you select them or else they will crumble. I usually pick green leaves that have already fallen on the ground, or just pick from the tree.
- Acrylic white paint
- Watercolors
- Paint Brushes
- Black fine point marker
Directions
- Once you’ve selected your leaves you’ll want to press them under something heavy overnight like a very large book.
- Once pressed, paint the front of your leaf white using acrylic paint. Let your leaf dry completely and then press it again overnight.
- Add a single layer of watercolor to your leaves on top of the white acrylic paint. Allow to dry.
- Add another layer to increase the brightness.
- Press the leaf again overnight to keep it flat.
- Add doodles and designs to your leaf using a black marker.
There are many ways to use your watercolor leaves for different fall crafts. Add them to a table centerpiece, or spread over a table runner for table decoration, frame and hang them on the wall, hang them from a small tree branch to create beautiful wall art or a mobile, or use them as decor for gift wrapping.
Leaf Printing with Markers
Kids will love this fun leaf activity. It’s a simple technique that still produces beautiful results. This is a great craft for toddler, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary age kids.
Supplies
- You will need some fresh leaves for this one. When the leaves are too dry they absorb all the liquid from the marker and they won’t make prints. If you can’t find freshly fallen leaves then just pick some directly from the tree for this one.
- White paper
- Markers – Any markers will work EXCEPT Sharpie or other brand permanent markers.
- Rolling pin
Directions
- Color the back of the leaf with a variety of markers. Put is on as thick as you can, and go as quickly as you can so the leaves don’t absorb the marker.
- Now put a piece of plain white paper under your leaf and on top of your leaf and use a rolling pin to press and roll over the leaf. You are making a leaf print on the paper.
- When you pull back the top sheet of paper and carefully pull up the leaf, you are left with a beautiful leaf print on your bottom sheet of paper.
Each print will be unique depending on the colors you use, and how quickly you go. However, they will all be beautiful.
Spray Paint Leaf Art
Spray paint leaf art is a cheap and easy wall art project that you can do in under an hour. You will end up with a truly unique piece of artwork for your home.
Supplies
- A piece of art board, heavy paper or canvas
- Spray paint in the color of your choice.
- Large leaf, fern, or flower from your garden or fake ones from a hobby/craft store (leaves or flowers that can lay flat on your picture will work best)
- Rubber gloves (to avoid getting spray paint on your hands)
- Face mask (to avoid breathing spray paint)
Directions
- Place art board, heavy paper or canvas on a flat area of the ground outside. Spray paint should always be done outside. The fumes are not good for indoors.
- Lay leaf or flower flat on board or canvas.
- Put rubber gloves and mask on.
- Spray paint the art board, paper, or canvas from top to bottom. Be careful to spray straight onto the board (not on an angle). You’re basically spraying the entire board or canvas with one coat of paint. The only part that will be remaining white is the part underneath the leaves or flowers.
- The most important thing is that your leaf or flower does not move while you are spray painting. If it’s a windy day, you should use some double-sided tape to adhere the leaves or flowers to the canvas while you are painting.
- Let dry for a couple of minutes, remove leaves and let the picture finish drying for about 15 minutes.
- When finished, frame your picture or if you used canvas, you are ready to hang it wherever you like.
I’m sure you will receive lots of compliments on this one. It’s a great way to have original artwork in your home without spending a lot of money.
Note
Check out the works of Sylvain Meyer and Andy Goldsworthy. They are both well known for their nature based art work.
