How to Paint Watercolor Maple Leaves
Practice a soft yellow wash and fine leaf veins with an autumn maple-leaf study.
What You Need
- Watercolor paints: Yellow for the base, nearby warm colors and brown for the veins.
- Watercolor paper and a brush with a fine tip.
- A palette or mixing tray, clean water, a water container and a cloth or paper towel.
- Optional: a pencil for a light outline.
Use the supplies you already have. If you are starting from scratch, the kit below brings paints, paper and brushes together.
Step 1: Dampen the leaf shapes
Lightly sketch the leaf shapes on watercolor paper, or use a suitable tutorial page you already own. Brush clean water inside the shapes.
Look for an even sheen without puddles. Mix your yellow wash before you start so it is ready while the paper is damp.
Step 2: Add the yellow base
Touch yellow paint into the damp leaf shapes and let it spread. Add small touches of nearby warm colors while the wash is still damp if you want soft variation.
Leave some areas lighter. Allow the leaves to dry before adding fine veins.
Step 3: Draw the veins and final details
Use the tip of a detail brush and a light brown mix to paint the main vein, then a few smaller branching lines.
Add a few stronger warm-color marks where needed. Keep the lines fine so they support the leaf shape without overpowering the wash.
Watch the Tutorial
Follow the demonstration, then pause between steps to paint at your own pace.
A Small Tip Before You Paint Again
Wait for the wash to dry before painting fine veins. If the lines spread, pause and let the paper dry a little longer.
For help with soft edges and blending, read our wet-on-wet watercolor guide.
Make Room for Your Next Painting
Keep a page and a few colors close by. If you need paints, paper and brushes for your next study, take a look at the STUDIO Beginner Kit.
See the Kit and What’s Included
