Ivy leaves offer a different challenge with their heart-shaped form and glossy texture. Begin with a teardrop shape for the leaf’s body, then add a small stem at the narrow end. The veins in ivy leaves typically branch off from a central point in a radiating pattern, adding to their unique appearance.
How to Draw Fall Oak Leaves
Learn how to draw a great looking Fall Oak with easy, step-by-step drawing instructions, and video tutorial, plus FREE printable pages.
By following the simple steps, you too can easily draw a perfect Fall Oak.
Complete Fall Oak drawing
“That time of year thou may’st in me behold
When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang
Upon those boughs which shake against the cold.”
– Sonnet 73 by William Shakespeare
Oak trees are well known for producing acorns and displaying vivid colors in the fall of the year.
Valley, chestnut, and chinkapin oaks turn yellow in fall, while pin, scarlet, and red oaks display a brilliant red. The leaves of the English oak often assume a copper color, while others become brown.
Scroll down for a FREE PRINTABLE PDF of this tutorial.
Why do leaves change color in fall?
All leaves contain pigments called carotenoids, which produce yellow orange colors, and anthocyanins, producing red and purple shades.
During the spring and summer, leaves are actively feeding the tree, using light from the sun. This is done by special chemicals called chlorophyll, which is green in color.
As the weather cools and trees prepare for a long winter sleep, chlorophyll levels drop, unmasking the beautiful shades of the other pigments. Brown leaves occur when no other pigments are present.
In Japan, viewing autumn leaves has become a national pastime. This activity is called koyo in Japanese.
In Canada and the United States, this tradition is often called “leaf peeping.”
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most popular autumn leaf viewing locations on the North American continent.
In the United States and Canada, animals such as squirrels, bear, woodpeckers, or cardinals might be observed on such ventures.
Would you like to draw the colorful leaves of an autumn oak? Doing so is easy and fun with the help of this simple, step-by-step leaf drawing tutorial.
All you will need is a pencil and a sheet of paper. Likely, you will also want use crayons, colored pencils, markers, paints, or other tools to shade your brightly colored leaves.
In each step, you will find detailed how-to illustrations, as well as explanatory text.
If you liked this tutorial, see also the following drawing guides: Maple Leaf, Palm Tree, and Cartoon Forest.
Step by Step Instructions for Drawing Fall Oak Leaves
How to Draw a Great Looking Fall Oak for Kids, Beginners, and Adults – Step 1
1. Begin by drawing a long, curved line. This will become the stem and the central vein of the middle leaf.
Easy Fall Oak Drawing – Step 2
2. Draw two long, curved lines extending from the sides of the first. These lines form the stem and veins of the additional leaves.
Easy Fall Oak Drawing – Step 3
3. Begin to outline a leaf using a series of curved lines. Notice that the lines are of greatly varied lengths, and that they meet in sharp, jagged points. The longer lines allow you to form the lobes, or sections, of the leaf.
Easy Fall Oak Drawing – Step 4
4. Continue to outline the leaf using jaggedly connected curved lines. Note the point at the tip of the leaf. Fully enclose the outline of the leaf.
MORE DRAWING TUTORIALS:
How to Draw a Sunflower
How to Draw a Cartoon Forest
50 Easy Ways to Draw Roses
Easy Fall Oak Drawing – Step 5
5. Begin to outline the second leaf. This time, begin your series of curved lines at the side of the first leaf. This will make it appear that one leaf is behind the other.
Easy Fall Oak Drawing – Step 6
6. Continue to outline your leaf, fully enclosing the shape. Notice again that the longer curved lines are used to form the lobes of the leaf.
Easy Fall Oak Drawing – Step 7
7. Outline the third leaf. Again, attach the lines to the leaf beside it, so that it appears to pass behind the previous leaf.
MORE DRAWING TUTORIALS:
How to Draw a Cross with a Rose
How to Draw a Cartoon Tree
How to Draw Cartoon Flowers
Add More Details to Your Fall Oak Picture – Step 8
8. Continue to outline the final leaf until the irregular, spiky shape is fully enclosed.
Complete the Outline of Your Fall Oak Drawing – Step 9
9. Detail your leaves by drawing veins in each. Do so by extending short, curved lines outward from the leaf’s central vein.
Color Your Fall Oak Drawing
10. Color your fall leaves. In nature, oak leaves display a variety of colors, including green, brown, copper, yellow, and red.
Why stop there? Draw yourself an entire forest with our maple leaf, cartoon tree, and cartoon forest drawing tutorials. Then, sketch a few friendly woodland animals to inhabit it.
For more great Thanksgiving and Fall drawing tutorials, see the 27 Easy and Fun Thanksgiving and Fall Drawing Ideas post.
Easy, step by step Fall Oak drawing tutorial
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Fall Oak Drawing Tutorial – Easy & Fun Printable Pages
The following printable pages are FREE to all readers.
Click the picture or button below to view the free printable PDF of this drawing guide.
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Getting Started with Leaf Drawing
Before we dive into the actual drawing process, there are a few things you need to prepare. Having the right materials, understanding leaf shapes, and practicing basic sketching are all part of the initial steps in learning how to draw leaves. Below, we’ll break down these steps to make it easy to draw leaves.
Selecting Your Materials
First things first, let’s talk about materials. You don’t need a fancy art kit to start drawing leaves. A simple pencil and a piece of paper will do the job. However, if you want to add more depth and detail to your leaf drawings, you might want to consider getting the following:
- Sketchpad: This is where you’ll be drawing your leaves. Sketchpads come in various sizes, so pick one that you’re comfortable with.
- Pencils: Different pencils create different line thicknesses. For beginners, a standard HB pencil would work just fine.
- Eraser: Everyone makes mistakes, and that’s okay! An eraser will help you correct any errors you make along the way.
- Colored pencils: If you want to add color to your leaf drawings, colored pencils are a great option. They are easy to use and come in a wide range of shades.
Understanding Leaf Shapes
Leaves come in all shapes and sizes, and understanding these variations is key to creating realistic leaf drawings. Take a walk around your neighborhood or local park and notice the different leaf shapes you see. Some leaves are round, some are elongated, some have jagged edges, and some are smooth. Start by focusing on basic shapes like ovals, triangles, or hearts, as these are often the foundation for many leaf shapes.
Practicing Basic Sketching
Before you tackle leaf drawing, it’s a good idea to practice some basic sketching techniques. Sketching is all about observing an object and translating it onto paper. Here are a few sketching tips to help you get started:
- Start with simple shapes: Break down the leaf into simple shapes and start by sketching these. This will give you a basic framework to build upon.
- Practice light strokes: Don’t press too hard with your pencil. Light strokes are easier to erase and adjust.
- Draw from observation: Try drawing leaves from real life rather than from memory or pictures. This will help you notice all the little details that make each leaf unique.
With these tips in mind, you’re now ready to start drawing leaves. It might seem a bit challenging at first, but with practice, you’ll find it easy to draw leaves in no time.
Mastering the Art of Observation
Once you have your materials ready and have practiced some basic sketching, it’s time to move on to the next step — mastering the art of observation. Drawing is not just about putting pencil to paper, it’s about observing the world around you. When it comes to leaves, there are three key elements to observe: texture, vein patterns, and color variations. Let’s look at each of these in more detail.
Observing Leaf Textures
Have you ever touched a leaf and noticed how it feels? Some leaves are smooth, others are rough, and some have a waxy texture. When you’re drawing, try to capture these textures. Use light and dark shades to show the difference in texture. For example, you can use light strokes for smooth textures and darker, rougher strokes for rough textures.
Noticing Leaf Vein Patterns
Next, let’s talk about vein patterns. If you look closely at a leaf, you’ll notice a network of veins. These veins provide a roadmap for your leaf drawing. Start by drawing the main vein, also known as the midrib, which runs down the center of the leaf. Then, draw the smaller veins branching off from the midrib. Remember, no two leaves have the exact same vein pattern, so don’t worry about making your drawing perfect. The goal is to make it look as natural as possible.
Appreciating Color Variations
Finally, let’s discuss color. Leaves are not just green. They come in a variety of colors, including yellows, reds, oranges, and even purples. Notice the color variations in the leaves you see and try to incorporate these into your drawings. If you’re using colored pencils, experiment with blending different colors to create depth and dimension.
By mastering the art of observation, you’ll find it easier to draw leaves that look realistic and detailed. So take your time, observe carefully, and most importantly, have fun!
Drawing Your First Leaf
Now that you’ve got a keen eye for leaf textures, vein patterns, and color variations, it’s time to put your observational skills to the test and start drawing. You’re ready to embark on your first leaf drawing journey. Don’t fret, this guide makes it easy to draw leaves. We’ll start with an outline, add details, and finish with shading and coloring.
Sketching the Outline
The first step in leaf drawing is sketching an outline. This is your leaf’s basic shape. You can start with a simple oval or elongated shape, depending on the type of leaf you’re drawing. Make sure your lines are light at this stage — you’ll be adding more details later and you don’t want any heavy marks to show through.
Adding Details to Your Leaf
Once you have your basic shape, it’s time to add some details. Remember the vein patterns you observed earlier? Now’s the time to incorporate them into your drawing. Start with the midrib, the main vein running down the center of the leaf. From there, draw the smaller veins branching out towards the edges of the leaf. Make these lines lighter than the midrib to give your leaf a sense of depth.
Shading and Coloring Your Leaf
Now comes the fun part — shading and coloring. This is where you bring your leaf to life. Start by shading the areas around the veins to create a sense of depth. Then, add color. Remember, leaves aren’t just green — they can be red, yellow, orange, or even purple. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different colors and see what works best for your leaf.
Drawing your first leaf may seem intimidating at first, but remember, practice makes perfect. The more you draw, the easier it will become, and before you know it, you’ll be creating leaf drawings that look like they came straight out of a botanical garden!
