26 Watercolor Leaves Paintings Easy Ideas for Beginners to Try

Hello,

Our topic today is all about drawing leaves. My 26 watercolor leaves paintings easy ideas are easy yet beautiful to paint. Each one has its own unique qualities and brings joy with every brushstroke. 

Let's explore these leaf paintings together! 

26 Watercolor Leaves Paintings Easy Ideas

Drawing leaves is a good way for us to connect with nature through art. All 26 ideas I bring you here are joyful and suitable for all levels of artists, especially beginners.

Let's start with the first one – Coconut leaves!

Coconut

I love drawing coconut leaves – they always make me feel airy and exotic. 

This one is very beginner-friendly; both children and adults can try. To depict the gentle curves of coconut leaves, I use delicate green brushstrokes.

Coconut leaves watercolor 1

Plus, it's a great way to improve your color blending and brush control. 

I enjoy how the overlapping green hues produce a flowing, natural effect, almost like the breeze swaying through the leaves.

When completed, it becomes a beautiful piece of decor with a natural theme!

Coconut leaves watercolor 2

Eucalipto

My next favorite watercolor idea is eucalyptus leaves. They just look so cute on paper! 

Their gentle blue-green hues bring peace. I also like experimenting with various watercolor techniques to make them even more lively. 

Eucalipto leaves watercolor 1

My tip is layering light washes and adding features to capture their elegant shape better. I've allowed kids to paint eucalyptus, and they really enjoyed drawing those cute round-shaped leaves. 

You just need a few supplies for painting, and the finished piece is always satisfying and soothing. 

Eucalipto leaves watercolor 2

Geranium

It's so much fun to paint geranium leaves! 

You can see that I use vibrant green shades and combine them with touches of red to make my piece stunning. The contrast is eye-catching on paper.

Geranium leaves watercolor 1

I use many brushes to add different textures to the leaves. The painting gets more depth when I apply a few layers and water techniques.

Beginners can feel confident to paint these geranium leaves. They will make your sketchbook more cheerful.

Geranium leaves watercolor 2

Green Tea

I love drawing green tea leaves after geraniums because they are so soft and soothing. They bring freshness and peace to my work.

I like to use gentle brushstrokes and light green hues. This easy craft is ideal for people of all skill levels. I love to paint it to unwind on a rainy day!

Green tea leaves watercolor 1

This painting doesn't require expensive tools. You just need to make a little mixing and layering, and those green tea leaves will begin to glow with peaceful energy on paper.

Green tea leaves watercolor 2

Hydrangea

The leaves of hydrangeas are striking and beautiful to paint.  I appreciate how full and lush they appear, in contrast to more delicate leaves (like Eucalyptus leaves)

Their rich green hues contrast sharply, particularly when I picture vibrant hydrangea blossoms nearby. 

Hydrangea leaves watercolor 1

Here, I try to show their strength and texture by using somewhat stronger brushstrokes.

These leaves were simple for me to deal with, even as a beginner. They're a terrific way to have fun while practicing brush control. 

I feel closer to nature when I paint them!

Hydrangea leaves watercolor 2

Mango

It's exciting to paint mango leaves. I love how smooth and glossy they appear, almost glowing with tropical warmth.

To achieve that feeling of freshness and vibrancy, I begin with a light green wash and then add deeper tones. It's an excellent method to practice brushwork and blending.

Read more:  Creative 24 Watercolor Horse Drawing Easy Ideas You’ll Love
Mango leaves watercolor 1

Painting these leaves brings life to my sketchbook and reminds me of summer. This project always makes me smile, even when I just have a few minutes to draw. 

It’s simple, yet full of life!

Mango leaves watercolor 2

Minimalist

If you would like to paint something simple, pick these leaves. I make light green shapes that are clean and elegant with a few gentle strokes.

Simple yet lovely, this design is ideal for a quick art break. I like to play around with light layers and see how the colors softly blend.

Minimalist watercolor leaves 1

You will be surprised by the results when you just put in a little effort. These leaf paintings remind me to slow down and give my workspace a calm, serene feel.

Minimalist watercolor leaves 2

Neem

Next, I enjoy painting neem leaves because they have a lot of personality! They are intriguing to work with watercolors because of their jagged shape and rich green color.

Neem leaves watercolor 1

Usually, I experiment with various brushes to achieve the ideal edges. This is an easy approach to try different techniques. Even beginners can enjoy it.

I feel more connected to nature when I paint neem leaves, and the process is very relaxing. I always feel refreshed after completing one.

Neem leaves watercolor 2

Oak

One of my favorite fall-themed subjects is oak leaves. I love to express their rustic look by using earthy hues like warm browns, oranges, and yellows.

This kind of painting reminds me of happy hikes on a fall day. Additionally, it's a simple way to practice color blending.

Oak leaves drawing watercolor 1

This project doesn't take long for you to paint. However, I always feel motivated after finishing it. 

There’s something special about bringing the colors of fall onto paper!

Oak leaves drawing watercolor 2

Small

Small watercolor leaves always add charm to any painting. 

My advice is the paint each leaf, one by one, by using a fine brush. You can see it looks like I’m adding little snippets of nature to my page.

Small watercolor leaves 1

These leaves have stunning textures and patterns despite their small size. I enjoy adding a touch of yellow or layering gentle greens for more variation.

It's a calm painting session that requires little effort, making it ideal for beginners. Plus, painting little details keeps me focused and calm. 

The simplest touches can sometimes bring the greatest effects.

Small watercolor leaves 2

Vine

I'm sure that painting vine leaves will bring you a refreshing experience. 

I love the way the vibrant greens and winding vines appear to dance on the paper. They give the artwork a great sense of flow and movement.

Vine leaves watercolor 1

I often experiment with various brush strokes for this project. You can see in my piece some curves here and some length there, to achieve a natural appearance. 

It’s fun to play around with various shades of green, blending light and dark.

This concept is easy enough for anyone to practice and is a great way to improve layering skills. 

Vine leaves watercolor 2

Vintage

I love the gentle, nostalgic feel of vintage watercolor leaves. My paintings have a warm, cozy, and vintage feel thanks to the warm browns and faded greens.

To create delicate textures, I apply light washes and soft brushstrokes. It's enjoyable to experiment with color mixing to achieve that faded look. 

Vintage watercolor leaves 1

This type of painting is soothing, considerate, and ideal for practicing delicate brushwork. Vintage leaves can bring the timeless and warm atmosphere the any piece — and I like that.

Vintage watercolor leaves 2

Branches

Watercolor painting of leaves and branches gives every piece of art a refined touch. 

I love how the gentle curves of branches hold clusters of leaves. It feels like nature telling a quiet story. Even if you're just starting, this project is easy to try.

Watercolor branches and leaves 1

You can create soft brown and green blends and flowing shapes with a few brushstrokes. I like using color layers to create great movement and depth.

Read more:  20 Watercolor Butterfly DIY Ideas to Inspire Your Next Art Project

Plus, it’s also a relaxing way to spend time, helping us feel more connected to nature. 

It's like I'm growing something lovely on paper when I paint branches and leaves.

Watercolor branches and leaves 2

Daisy

Daisy leaves add a subtle beauty to every piece, even though they aren't as showy as the flower petals. They are ideal for floral art because of their soft, pointed shapes.

Watercolor daisy leaves 1

I prefer to paint these leaves with light, simple strokes with a small round brush. It's a simple way to improve your color blending and steady lines.

This idea is perfect for beginners to follow. This kind of art makes us feel calm while creating something beautiful.

Watercolor daisy leaves 2

Berries

A timeless watercolor pair that never goes out of style – leaves and berries. 

I like to combine flashes of red berries with soft green leaves. This gives my artwork an instant charming and festive feel. 

Watercolor leaves and berries 1

This concept is enjoyable for both beginners and experienced painters. You can explore shadow effects, color layering, and how light creates the round, juicy appearance of berries.

I always feel relaxed when I paint this one. It's similar to creating a miniature garden on paper. 

Moreover, it's a lovely way to add nature-inspired joy to cards, notebooks, or gifts.

Watercolor leaves and berries 2

Bookmark

Making bookmarks from leaves is such a fun and practical idea. like using warm browns and soft greens to paint little leaf forms.  

It's a soothing project that enhances my watercolor skills, such as layering for depth or combining colors. Especially, bookmarks are ideal for both personal use and gifting.

Watercolor leaves bookmark 1They all feel unique and handcrafted. Even though they are quick to complete, they are incredibly joyful. 

Simple, beautiful, and useful—what more could we ask for in a tiny piece of art?

Watercolor leaves bookmark 2

Brown

Painting brown leaves always gives me a soothing feel. The oranges, reds, and browns in watercolor painting combine well to create pleasant and relaxing autumn scenes.

Watercolor leaves brown 1

All skill levels can benefit from this one. For details, I prefer to use a tiny brush after creating larger strokes with a flat brush. 

Like leaves in nature, each piece has a unique appearance. Painting brown leaves lets me feel the change of seasons.

Watercolor leaves brown 2

In Vase

Painting leaves in a vase adds brightness to any art collection. I prefer to arrange vibrant leaves in a bouquet. Each one has a unique shape –  dynamic and full of personality.

You can use a light wash for the vase. And for the leaves, you can layer vibrant greens, yellows, and even reds.

Watercolor leaves in vase 1

This style gives me a chance to explore composition and brush control.

You can see that you can find inspiration for art nearly anywhere. You can hang your beautiful piece on a wall or use it for your journal. 

Watercolor leaves in vase 2

On Water

Do you feel peaceful and calm when seeing my painting of floating leaves on water here? 

I love using soft autumn colors, such as orange, red, and brown, and blending them gently. In this way, I can show the beautiful movement of water. It gives my painting a dreamy look.

Watercolor leaves on water 1

This project is elegant despite its simplicity. We can practice layering and adding light washes to create the illusion of gentle ripples.

Let’s start creating our own lovely watercolor leaves in this picturesque setting!

Watercolor leaves on water 2

Orange

I really love these orange leaves. They look extremely striking in watercolor painting. 

The vivid and fiery hues give my paintings a cozy and energetic feel. To give each leaf even more depth, I enjoy combining orange with red or gold.

Watercolor leaves orange 1

On paper, the colors truly stand out despite the idea's simplicity. Beginners can experiment with blending and layering while having fun with this idea.

 Moreover, these orange leaves look amazing in journals, cards, or framed on a wall.

Read more:  37 Flower Drawing Watercolor Ideas to Inspire Your Creativity
Watercolor leaves orange 2

Purple

If you want to paint something more enchanting, you will love this idea. 

Here, I use soft lilacs and deep purples to create these outstanding leaves. This color scheme gives our nature paintings a distinctive twist.

Watercolor leaves purple 1

I also like to create a dreamlike effect by combining various purples with touches of pink or blue. 

Trust me, this soothing and enjoyable painting technique is ideal for unwinding after a busy day. 

All ages and skill levels can try this idea. It improves the way we blend colors and form each leaf while letting you try something new. 

Let’s enjoy the creative freedom purple leaves bring!

Watercolor leaves purple 2

Tropical

Tropical leaves? They are always full of energy and color. 

To highlight their vibrant shapes, I paint them with vivid greens, strong brushstrokes, and layered washes. Like the tropics, this look is colorful and new!

Watercolor leaves tropical 1

To make the leaves stand out, I love to combine several shades of green and perhaps add a hint of blue or yellow. Every leaf turns into a tiny texture and color-mixing adventure.

It's a joyful way to add these tropical leaves into your artwork. These paintings would look great on sunny wall art, cards, or notebooks!

Watercolor leaves tropical 2

Wall

What do you think about making a wall from overlapping leaves? 

I like to use soft, layered greens to achieve that full and natural look. You can create more depth by layering the colors a little more.

Watercolor leaves wall 1

It's quite simple to try this idea. No need for perfect shapes— My tip is to keep adding leaves in different directions! The flow and variety make each piece unique.

It’s so entertaining to fill my sketchbook pages with this. Perfect for relaxing and letting our creativity grow.

Watercolor leaves wall 2

Magnolia

Magnolia leaves have a special charm. 

They have deep green tops and warm bronze undersides. And it is a great opportunity for you to practice blending colors to capture that natural contrast.

Watercolor magnolia leaves 1

I like to start with a coat of flat green and then add subtle colors of bronze to highlight the distinct texture of the leaf. It’s simple, but sophisticated. 

This idea allows you to learn about how to balance warm and cool tones. It's excellent for painters of all skill levels. The final piece always looks so stunning on paper.

Watercolor magnolia leaves 2

Pile

It's cozy and enjoyable to make a watercolor pile of leaves. You can paint fallen leaves packed together using warm colors like yellow, orange, and brown.

Watercolor pile of leaves 1

These paintings always make me think of cool fall days. 

I love combining various colors and forms to highlight each leaf. I can create the depth and texture by using loose brushstrokes.

This idea is perfect for practicing blending colors and brush control. Plus, the finished artwork adds a warm seasonal touch to my sketchbook or home.

Watercolor pile of leaves 2

Leaves

And the last one is about painting strawberry leaves. They always look so fresh and cheerful in my sketchbook. 

The scarlet of ripe strawberries and delicate green shades of leaves – such a beautiful pair.  

Watercolor strawberry leaves 1

People of all ages can try to paint those strawberry leaves for sure. 

My tip is to apply light green layers at first. Then I create soft shadows to create depth for my piece. The setting is completed with a pop of color from a dash of crimson.

What you can learn from this idea is color mixing and detail work. It also brings a little garden joy into our artwork — perfect for spring and summer vibes.

Watercolor strawberry leaves 2

Conclusion

You've finished my list of 26 easy watercolor leaves painting ideas. Leaves are always something simple and entertaining to paint, including beginners.

So, grab your brush and enjoy the beauty of leaves on your page! 

Happy painting, my artists!