Use a thin paintbrush to paint the outline of the leaf.
Easy Christmas Wreath Painting Technique Using A Leaf
Image credit: Vinillna via YouTube
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This wreath painting by Vinillna on YouTube is so beautiful and detailed that you’d think this was difficult to make at a glance, but the truth is even a beginner can easily make this painting without even breaking a sweat! Your family and friends will surely be impressed when showing them your own version of this art, so watch and learn this technique now, then try making it on your own.
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Materials:
- Primed fiberboard coated with black acrylic
- Leaf with voluminous veins
- Paintbrush
- Yellow, greenish-blue, white, and black acrylic paint
- Coin
- Large round object
- Pencil
Step 1
Trace a large round object on the board, then mix together the yellow and white acrylic, dilute the paint with water, and coat the leaf with it. Press the leaf on the round line, make sure to apply paint along the leaf on each stamp, then let the paint dry completely, and coat the whole board with a mixture of greenish-blue acrylic and water. Once dry, paint the leaves with diluted yellow paint again, stamp them in an offset layer as shown in the video, and outline the spaces with diluted greenish-blue paint. Sprinkle the yellow paint all over, then let it dry completely, and cover the whole board with greenish-blue water again.
Step 2
Let the paint dry completely, then add a bit of white to the yellow mixture, then paint the leaf with it, and press another layer of leaves. Outline the spaces with greenish-blue, then cover the leaves completely, and add more white to the yellow paint mixture. Paint the leaf and stamp another layer, outline with greenish-blue water, then sprinkle some white, let dry, and cover the whole board with greenish-blue water. Add pure yellow highlights on the leaves, then trace a coin all over the wreath, and paint it white. Outline the white balls with blue and add highlights, then paint the stem white, and paint the background dark blue. Add random sizes of white dots all over and you’re done!
*All these images are credited to Vinillna via YouTube. Give her channel a visit and subscribe for more!
How to Paint Watercolor Leaves
Leaves are a great addition to bouquets and wreaths. They make great fillers for empty spaces. Leaves can also be beautiful on their own.
Supplies Needed:
- Watercolor Paint (You can read about my palette here)
- Watercolor Brush
- Watercolor Paper
I used a variety of greens and blues to paint these leaves, but you can use whatever colors you want.
As usual, let each layer of paint dry before adding another layer (unless that’s the look that you’re going for.)
You might be interested in this post on how to paint a watercolor Valentine card.
Single Leaf
Pointed End
For this leaf, you can start by painting the stem or the leaf. If you paint the stem, there might be a faint line in the middle. Use the tip of the brush to get the pointed tip.
Then fill in the leaf shape.
Rounded End
Use your brush to draw this shape, filling it in as you go.
Long and Thin
Use the tip of your brush to make the tip and just drag the brush along. This works best with a watercolor brush that holds a ton of paint.
Round Leaf
This leaf reminds me of eucalyptus or silver dollars.
Paint a circle. Let it dry and add a stem.
Jagged Edges
This leaf reminds me of a rose leaf.
Paint a pointed tip leaf with a wide body.
Then use the tip of the brush to add little marks along the edges.
Open in the Middle
This is a fun look to pair with loose florals.
Use the tip of the brush to draw the outline of the brush. Make the lines thicker if needed, but leave an open space.
Rounded Edges
This is a bit more cartoon-y. I like this look with gouache a lot.
Draw a blobby shape with rounded edges. Fill in the center.
Branches
The branches can be straight or curved.
Pine Tree Branch
This is one of my favorite branches to paint. Perfect for Christmas cards!
Paint a curved line in brown paint.
Use light green paint to add small lines for the pine needles. Make some of the lines go the wrong way.
Add another layer of lines with a darker green paint.
Round Leaves
Paint a thin line for the center stem, then paint lines coming off of it. Add the round leaves.
Rounded Tip Leaves
Paint a center stem with branches coming off of it. Add rounded tip leaves.
Full Branch
Paint a center stem with branched coming off of it.
Add rounded tipped leaves to the ends of each branch. Then add leaves along the branch until it is full.
