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Creative & Easy Leaf Printing With Washable Markers

Leaf textures are the perfect way to learn about basic printmaking techniques. These quick and easy leaf prints are the ideal Fall art activity for kids! Let’s make some beautiful leaf print art today.

colorful leaf impressions on white paper with real leaves and markers on a table.

Why You Will Love This Art Process


  • KID FRIENDLY – Children of all ages can color with markers and learn about the Art Element of texture.
  • CAN BE USED IN MULTIPLE PROJECTS – These marker leaf prints make a great standalone Art project, but can also be used in collages and other mixed-media Art ideas.
  • USES REAL NATURE – Begin this project by going on a leaf scavenger hunt with your students or family.

Supplies you’ll need

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  • Washable Markers*
  • Water and Water Container
  • Heavy Drawing Paper or Watercolor Paper
  • Paintbrush
  • Paper Towels

*This chisel pack of markers worked well to add color quickly and easily.

real leaves, white paper, paper towel, paintbrush and markers on table.

Leaf Printing Tutorial

Step 1: Find The Right Leaves

When searching for leaves, whole, flat, fresh, or newly fallen leaves with great veins will work best. Printing leaves that are too dry will make it difficult to get a good print impression.

collage of images showing adding marker to a real leaf, add water with a paint brush and flippig on to paper.

Step 2: Color With Washable Markers

Use any colored markers to color on the backside of the leaf (the side with veins).

Step 3: Add Water

  • For the drawing paper we were using, we found it best to paint a small amount of water on the leaf and then flip it to print.
  • You can also wet the paper with a brush or damp paper towel to get your desired effect.

ART TEACHER TIP – The more water you add, the more your final print will have a watercolor effect. Use a smaller brush to help children avoid adding too much water.

Step 4: Print Your Leaf

To get leaf impressions on paper:

  1. Flip the leaf onto your paper.
  2. Cover the leaf with a paper towel or blank piece of paper.
  3. Carefully press all parts of the leaf into the paper before pulling up the leaf.
hand pulling up leaf making a colorful print on white paper.

Step 5: Let Dry and Repeat

These marker prints will dry quickly. For a fun nature art idea, you can experiment with overlapping different prints of different shaped leaves.

Tips

  • Cover your work surface with extra paper. Make sure you cover the whole leaf surface with color.
  • Experiment with how to add the water. You can paint it on the leaf, add water to the paper, or lightly dampen a towel to use on the paper before printing.
  • Once you drop the leaf, print it. Don’t move the leaf around.
  • When printing, press don’t rub the leaf. This will help your image stay clean and not be blurry.
colorful leaf art with real leaves next to it.

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We love how easy it is to make fabulous prints of leaves with this fun technique. Remember, it doesn’t have to be perfect and embrace the natural way art and nature can work together.

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