This watercolor maple leaf craft is simple to create and paint with the kids! Grab the free printable template and get painting today.
It’s easy to make this colorful artwork with only a few supplies from the craft store! You probably have everything that you need at home already.
Too busy to make this right away? Save this idea for later! Pin this project to your favortie board on Pinterest and it will be there when you’re ready.
This vibrant watercolor maple leaf is made using a glue and watercolor technique that acts like a resist. The black leaf outline is created with Elmers glue that is mixed with a bit of black paint.
The glue makes a raised edge that helps to define and separate the paint colors. Glue and watercolor art is a fun painting craft project that kids are sure to love!
I have included the free template for this project at the bottom of this blog post. Simply print the template onto cardstock paper or watercolor paper to get started!
Of course, the template is not needed to create this watercolor leaf! Children can draw a leaf shape free form if they want. It would be fun to see all of the different leaves that they come up with!
How to make a watercolor maple leaf:
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Supplies:
- 9″x12″ 140lb watercolor paper*
- Watercolor paints
- Paint palette
- Paint brush
- Pencil and eraser
- Elmers white glue
- Black acrylic paint
*Heavy cardstock paper may be used as an alternative to watercolor paper. It’s important to use thick, heavy paper for this project as the water tends to warp and tear traditional printer paper.
Directions:
1. Print, trace or sketch the outline of a maple leaf onto watercolor paper.
2. Mix 1/2 tsp black acrylic paint into a small bottle of white Elmers school glue.
3. Use the glue to trace the outline of the leaf shape.
4. Allow the glue to dry for at least an hour and erase any pencil lines that may be showing.
5. With a clean paintbrush and water, wet the area to be painted.
6. Add generous amounts of paint to the brush and paint the leaf with orange and red colors.
7. Paint the background using green and blue colors.
8. Allow the painting to dry before mounting or displaying.
Use a lot of watercolor paint to achieve a vibrant color for this project. If the piece of paper curls or warps, try pressing it under some heavy books to flatten it once dry.
Be sure to check out this watercolor oak leaf painting and watercolor aspen leaf art project for more leaf painting ideas and templates!
MORE OF MY CRAFTING ESSENTIALS:
- We love using these Apple Barrel Acrylic Paints to add bright color to all of our projects.
- These paint brushes are ideal for most craft surfaces and a great price!
- This art supplies kit is our favorite because it has everything we needed to get started.
- This rolling storage cart helps to keep our craft supplies organized.
If you would like the free watercolor maple leaf template simply fill out the form below. Isn’t this painting art project just so much fun?! Perfect for classroom curriculum with a fall theme or learning about plants!
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Watercolor Maple Leaf Art
This watercolor maple leaf craft is simple to create and paint with the kids! Grab the free printable template and get painting today.
Materials
- 9"x12" 140lb watercolor paper*
- Watercolor paints
- Paint palette
- Paint brush
- Pencil and eraser
- Elmers white glue
- Black acrylic paint
Instructions
1. Print, trace or sketch the outline of a maple leaf onto watercolor paper.
2. Mix 1/2 tsp black acrylic paint into a small bottle of white Elmers school glue.
3. Use the glue to trace the outline of the leaf shape.
4. Allow the glue to dry for at least an hour and erase any pencil lines that may be showing.
5. With a clean paintbrush and water, wet the area to be painted.
6. Add generous amounts of paint to the brush and paint the leaf with orange and red colors.
7. Paint the background using green and blue colors.
8. Allow the painting to dry before mounting or displaying.
Notes
Use a lot of watercolor paint to achieve a vibrant color for this project.
If the piece of paper curls or warps, try pressing it under some heavy books to flatten it once dry.
