Nature Journaling: Leaves 5 Ways

Nature journaling leaves doesn’t have to be a daunting prospect! Let’s take a quick look at 5 different ways to include leaves in your journal!

Sketching Leaves in Your Nature Journal

Of course, for most nature journalers, sketching will be the the ‘go-to’ method for adding leaves to the nature journal. If you’ve been following me at all, you know that I firmly believe that anyone can learn to draw! But, I digress. Here’s a simple way to sketch a leaf:

Take a look at the overall shape. As in, would it fit better in a square, a rectangle, or perhaps an oval? Giving your leaf this type of boundary will help you with proportion.

Next take a minute to study the veins in your leaf. Is there one predominant vein? This one usually runs down the middle of the leaf from the stem to the tip. This is the best place to begin your sketch.

Most leaves are pretty symmetrical. I usually begin at the leaf tip and sketch lightly — alternating down each side until I get to the stem. Are your proportions off? This is the time to adjust.

Notice whether your leaf has smooth or toothed edges. Add that detail.

Lastly, add in any heavy veins as they appear. Add color and shading as you like.

Tracing

Here’s a ‘no-brainer’ way for nature journaling leaves!

If your sketchbook is large enough and your leaf small enough, you can simply trace your leaf. Wait, does this count as nature journaling? Of course! Nature journaling is not just about creating pretty art! 

Simply trace the outline of your leaf into your journal. Add in the veins. Add a bit of shading and color. Voila! You’ve added a leaf to your nature journal!

Leaf Rubbing

This is an old tried and true method. For this to work, you’ll need to work with paper that is thin enough to feel the veins in the leaf. If you can’t feel them with your fingers through the paper, you won’t be able to capture them with a rubbing. 

You also need a leaf that has pronounced enough veins to capture them.

Place your leaf, vein side up, under your paper. Use the side of a crayon or pencil and scribble over the surface until the image appears! This is a great option for kids to nature journal with leaves!

Printing Leaves with Paint for Kids Nature Journal

    This is another popular option for kids. Simply paint the backside of the leaf with 

watercolor or acrylic paint. Place wet paint side down on the paper and press. Voila! 

Take your time and have fun with this one. Choose several leaves and using different 

colors of paint, layer them on your page.

Want even more tips on Nature Journaling with Kids? Check out Nature Journaling with Kids: Part I (supplies), Nature Journaling with Kids: Part II – Let’s Sketch!, and Nature Scavenger Hunt.

Washi Tape

The simplest method of all is to simply use washi tape and tape the actual leaf into your journal.

The drawbacks? The leaf will eventually dry out and crumble. There are, however, several methods of preserving leaves. My favorite method is to iron them between sheets of waxed paper. The heat transfers the wax to the leaf and preserves it fairly well. While the wax does help preserve the leaf, it is still very delicate — handle it gently! Use washi tape to attach it to the page.

I believe it’s time for us to begin looking at nature journals a little differently. It’s time to think outside the box. Although sketching is my preferred method of working in my nature journal, not everyone wants to sketch. We all, however, really need that connection to nature. Journaling in any form forces us to lean in, to look a little bit closer, live in the moment, and make that all important connection to the nature that we, as humans, are very much a part of.