This fall leaf chalk pastel art for kids is just gorgeous! The chalk pastels on black paper look like they are glowing and using this simple technique makes this art project perfect for kids of all ages.
Kids love using this simple pastel technique, it makes a great lesson on positive and negative space in art, lets kids explore drawing and smudging with chalk pastels and it also produces wow-worthy art kids will be proud to display!
Pastels are so fun for kids to explore! Take a look at my collection of chalk pastel art for more creative ideas kids will love.
For this project, I created a free printable template to make this art project even easier for you. This template is available to my email subscribers. Fill out the form below to get the free template.
After signing up you will receive a welcome email with your download link.
If you are looking for more fall art projects take a look at my collection of creative fall painting ideas for kids! There are ideas for kids of all ages that use different types of art materials and techniques.
Take a look at this beautiful autumn fall leaf painting for another fun fall project idea!
Check out this spooky bat chalk pastel art that kids will also love to make!
Create your own fall leaf chalk pastel art
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Supplies
- Leaf printables
- Chalk pastels in autumn colors
- Black drawing paper, pastel paper, construction paper or scrapbook paper (we used black drawing paper for this project)
- Scissors
- Painter’s tape
- Paper towels
- Q-tip or blending stick (optional)
Instructions to make your own fall leaf art
1. Print and cut out your leaf templates. Printing them on white cardstock will make them easier for kids to use.
2. Using painter’s tape, tape down a leaf template onto black paper. We used black drawing paper for this project, but you could also use black pastel paper, scrapbook paper or even try black construction paper.
Related: Awesome Galaxy Chalk Pastel Art Project
3. Choose your fall chalk pastel colors, I love how these colors look against the black paper! We used red, 2 shades of orange, yellow, 2 shades of green and brown.
Have lots of paper towels on hand. Chalk pastels can be very messy, but also fun! Having paper towels ready and being able to blow off the dust outside helps keep the mess down.
4. Draw around your template with chalk pastels in fall colors, switching colors as you go. Drawing thick lines will give you the best results.
5. Using your first 2 fingers or your first finger, smudge around your drawing in an outward motion. Remind kids not to smudge back and forth, but in one direction.
Some kids don’t like using their fingers to smudge pastels, using a q-tip or blending stick would also work.
If there is a lot of dust created by the smudging, try carefully taking the paper outside and blowing off the excess. If you can’t do this, using a damp paper towel to wipe up the dust on your work surface will also work.
6. Carefully remove your leaf template, and blow off any excess dust outside. If there is a lot of dust on the inside of your leaf, try using a q-tip or eraser to clean up the dust.
You can spray your picture with a workable fixative if you like to help keep it from smudging, but I find this isn’t always necessary. This should be done by an adult only in an outside area.
This fall leaf chalk pastel art makes such a great fall art project that kids of all ages will enjoy doing! Check out these chalk pastel sunflowers for more fun pastel ideas.
Fill in the form below to get your free printable template!
After signing up you will receive a welcome email with your download link.
We love creating and exploring with different art supplies. If you are looking for more art projects to try, take a look at our ultimate collection of amazing art projects for kids!
More pastel projects kids will love
Pumpkin Chalk Pastel Art Project – 2 Ways
5 Essential Chalk Pastel Techniques for Beginners
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Pin this art project for later
Gorgeous Fall Leaf Chalk Pastel Art Kids Can Make
Kids will love making this fall leaf chalk pastel art using all of the gorgeous autumn colors! Use an easy pastel technique that is perfect for kids of all ages.
Materials
- Leaf printable
- Black drawing paper, pastel paper, scrapbook paper or construction paper
- Chalk pastels in autumn colors
- Painter's tape
- Q-tip (optional)
- Workable fixative (optional)
Tools
- Scissors
- Blending stick (optional)
Instructions
- Print out one of the leaf templates onto white cardstock and cut out.
- Tape it down onto your black paper using painter's tape.
- Using autumn colors, draw around your template with chalk pastels. Drawing thick lines will give the best results.
- Smudge around the leaf in an outward motion. Kids can use their fingers (which is my favorite method), or try using a q-tip or blending stick.
Go outside to blow off the excess pastel dust. - Carefully remove your leaf template, cleaning up any dust on the inside of the leaf with a q-tip or eraser.
- You can spray your artwork with a workable fixative to keep it from smudging if you like but it isn't necessary. This should be done by an adult outside.
Pina
Great craft. Thank you
Mary Johnston
This looks great I would love the leaf template!
Mary Lee
Thank u for leaf templates
Michelle
Is there a special oil pastel we’re supposed to use? We tried this on poster board and construction paper and it just wiped right off.
ProjectswithKids
Hi Michelle,
This art project uses chalk pastels not oil pastels. 🙂
Sue Carleton
Love to use some of your print free templates for my daycare kids…Thanks
ProjectswithKids
Hi Sue,
All of my free printables are available to my email subscribers. 🙂
krista gonzales
Love this!!
ProjectswithKids
Thank you Krista! 🙂
Lois Frick
Can’t wait to try making the leaves.
ProjectswithKids
I hope you have fun making them!