Leaf painting

by Fellowship Agency November 23, 2017

Winter is fast approaching and you’ve got just enough time to make the most of those fallen Autumn leaves and create some pretty artwork.

Learning outcomes

You will be able to:

identify leaves in the natural environment
create an artistic design using natural resources

You will need (per person)

2 x Shallow Gratnells trays (F1)
4 x mini trays (or small pots)
A4 paper
Autumn leaves
Coloured paint
Paintbrushes

What to do:

Head outside and pick some lovely Autumn leaves that have fallen from the trees. You can easily collect these in a Gratnells tray.
Squirt small amounts of coloured paint into some mini trays or small pots.
Set your favourite leaves aside and place a piece of plain paper into a Gratnells tray.
One at a time, place a leaf on top of the paper and paint around the edge of a leaf in different colours, creating a colourful leave outline.
Multiple painted leaves are good for a colourful background or art project. You could further customise your artwork with glitter, tissue paper or other art materials.

Other things to try…

Use small pots for the paint.
Share photographs of your Autumnal creations on social media using #WhatsInMyTray.

Curriculum links:

EYFS- Development Matters- Expressive arts and design- Provide activities that give children the opportunity and motivation to practise manipulative skills, e.g. cooking, painting, clay and playing instruments.

Key Stage 1- Primary National Curriculum– Art– To develop a wide range of art and design techniques in using colour, pattern, texture, line, shape, form and space.

Year 1- Primary National Curriculum– Science- Plants- To become familiar with common names of flowers, examples of deciduous trees, and plant structures (including leaves).

Health and Safety

As with all Gratnells Learning Rooms What’s In My Tray Activities, you should carry out your own risk assessment prior to undertaking any of the activities with children.