Learn how to make leaf rubbings for kids. Then turn your rubbings into a colorful painting using the watercolor wax resist method.
Updated August 2024
Do you remember making leaf rubbings as a kid? It’s one of those classic fall art activities. We love seeing the leaf veins and edges appear on the paper as you rub a crayon or oil pastel over it.
For this project, we took it one step further to create a fall painting using the watercolor resist wax resist method.
These painted leaf rubbings are so pretty, especially when done in autumnal colors like reds, oranges, and yellows.
How to Make Painted Leaf Rubbings
MATERIALS
- Leaves (the fresher and less brittle the better)
- Art paper
(or other thin paper)
- Tape
- Crayons (we also like these block crayons for this)
- Watercolor paint in autumnal colors (liquid watercolor paint works great)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Set up your materials
Collect a variety of leaves. Gather your paper and crayons.
Arrange a leaf on a piece of paper or tray, vein side up. Place another piece of paper over the leaves and tape down the corners to hold it in place.
- Create a leaf rubbing
Using the broad side of an unwrapped crayon, rub firmly over the paper to reveal the leaf skeletons. Use different crayon colors if desired.
Once you have one rubbing, place a different leaf under your paper and make another!
- Paint over rubbings
Use watercolors to paint over the crayon leaf rubbings, creating a watercolor-resist effect.
Watch the watercolors bead up and slide off the crayon lines yet soak into the paper.
Have you tried leaf rubbings with your kids yet? If so, be sure to try this next step of adding watercolors to create a lovely fall painting!
You can even try it with neon colors for an extra pop!
More Fall Arts and Crafts for Kids
- 15 Fall Children’s Books for Your Family
- How to Make Autumn Leaf Suncatchers
- How to Make Autumn Leaf Art with Chalk Pastels
- 12 Creative Fall Craft Ideas for Kids
- How to Preserve Fall Leaves and Create Mandala Leaf Art
- 10 Fun Crafts with Leaves for Autumn
Want even more Fall fun?
Check out our Autumn Creativity Pack!
This 34-page printable eBook is full of Autumn-themed art activities, drawing prompts, creative play ideas, and more!
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