Fall Tree Leaf Painting Projects

The brilliant colors of fall leaves have provided inspiration for numerous artists, including Georgia O’Keeffe. This almost magical transition, occurring in a season that otherwise lacks color and variety, is sometimes very short-lived. Capturing the display and preserving the color through painting allows both the artist and the observer to enjoy the beauty even when the season has passed.

Take a walk in the woods for inspiration. In an urban environment, a local
park or your own back yard will suffice. Attempt to open yourself to
awareness of the environment in order to immerse all of your senses so
that you can better capture the atmosphere of the season.

Capture the appearance of the leaves on camera. Arrange leaves you've collected on your outing on a white background, and take a few photographs. If the colors of the leaves begin to fade, this will provide a visual record of the image you hoped to capture.

Create simple pressed leaf prints. This craft, engaging for younger children, requires sturdy leaves. The Step by Step Childcare website suggests placing the leaves on top of a layer of newspaper to apply the paint. Cover one side of the leaf in a thin, even layer of paint. Place the leaf paint-side down on the surface you want to decorate. The process can be used to create pictures on paper or cloth.

Use watercolors to create soft colors. Watercolors can be used to demonstrate the combinations of color that occur in fall leaf changes, blending readily where the colors transition. The Accidental Artist website suggests applying darker colors first, followed by lighter watercolors. Use oils and acrylics to showcase the dramatic colors present in fall leaves. The online art magazine Empty Easel advises that oils have more pigment and produce richer color, while acrylics dry faster, but may darken as they dry.

Paint the leaves themselves. In this method, the leaves become your canvas. Press your leaves to flatten them, and remove moisture by arranging them between the pages of a book or layers of paper. Place a heavy weight on top of the book or papers, and wait for 24 hours. Brown leaves and those that retain their color offer different benefits, but both work for this
project.

References:

The Accidental Artist: How to Paint Leaves
http://www.theaccidentalartist.com/content/acrylic-painting/how-paint-leaves

Empty Easel: How to Choose Between Using Oil Paints or Acrylics: Understand Their Differences
http://emptyeasel.com/2007/01/16/how-to-choose-between-using-oil-paints-or-acrylics/

Country Living: Craft Projects -- How to Press Leaves
http://www.countryliving.com/crafts/projects/how-to-press-leaves-1108

Kids Turn Central: Crafts and Projects -- Collecting and Pressing Fall Leaves
http://www.kidsturncentral.com/crafts/pressleaves2.htm

Step by Step Childcare: Arts and Crafts -- Leaves
http://stepbystepcc.com/leaves2.html

Angie Ezell’s Instructional Technology and Instructional Art Website: Georgia O’Keefe Fall Leaves
http://angieezellbeardsley.com/fallleaves.htm