Leaf Painting

By Ms. Dylan, Cedar Rose Pre-Kindergarten Assistant Teacher

Leaves can provide a fun and unique canvas for budding artists!

First, go on a nature walk and collect some leaves. I used magnolia leaves that had dropped from a tree down the block from my house. Lay some newspaper or an opened-up paper grocery bag down on your work surface and fill a clean jar or cup with water. Grab your paints (I used acrylic paint, but feel free to experiment with other kinds), brushes, and a palette (a piece of cardstock or a paper plate will do just fine).

Then get painting!

Different kinds of leaves will take the paint differently, and even opposite sides of the same leaf can be different. With the magnolia leaves, I found the front (shiny) side to work best with more paint and less water, and I was able to get crisp, clean lines.

On the fuzzy underside of the leaf, I liked using more water and going for more of a “wash” look — the colors bleed together, making for beautiful gradations!

You can paint both sides, too; just let the first side dry before flipping the leaf over and painting the other side.

The (painted) back and (unpainted) front of the same leaf.

Pretty!

Want to paint a little leaf gnome? Of course you do!

First, get a nice leaf and orient it so the tip is facing you and the stem is up. Paint the bottom of the leaf white (this will be the beard). Then paint the top of the leaf in whatever color you’d like for a hat (I chose green). Leave a small amount of unpainted leaf showing through as the gnome’s face.

Give your gnome some eyes and a cute little smile, and there you have it! You could make a whole village of gnomes with hats in every color of the rainbow, if you like!