Impressionist Fall Tree with Color Mixing

Written By Tiffiny Spire

Who doesn’t love the look of leaves changing colors in the autumn? Fall foliage is so beautiful we can’t help but try to make art to replicate it. This Impressionist style art activity makes it easy for kids (of all ages) to capture the beauty of fall. If you typically do arts and crafts with kids, you probably already have all the supplies you need. Note: We did this art project using oil pastels, but it can also be done with crayons (if they have the paper removed), but it won’t be as vibrant. 

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn a small commission on purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you.
Impressionist fall tree made by blending yellow and red oil pastels. Text reads: Impressionist Fall Tree. Easy color mixing art activity for kids

Pin this image to save for later.

 

Supplies Needed:

uppercase y drawn in brown pastel to represent basic impressionistic tree

Draw a Y with brown to make the tree.

impressionist fall tree drawn with red and brown oil pastels on white paper

Lightly shade in red for leaves.

impressionistic fall tree made by layering yellow pastel over red oil pastel

Color a thick layer of yellow over the red.

How to Make it:

  1. Make sure the paper has been removed from your pastels (or crayons). You will use them as if you’re going to make a rubbing.

  2. Position the paper vertically. Start with the brown oil pastel. Lay it flat and draw a large uppercase Y going up the length of one side of your paper. Press lightly because you don’t want your tree bark to overpower the lighter colors of the leaves.

  3. Use the flat side of the red pastel to “draw” in some Impressionist style leaves going over the top portion of the tree. You may also want to color in a pile of leaves that have fallen to the ground. Press lightly to apply only a thin layer of red.

  4. Use the flat side of the yellow oil pastel to color over the red layer. Watch the leaves turn to orange as you layer the colors.

  5. For a smoother,—more Impressionistic—look, blend the colors using a blending stump (or a paper towel wrapped around your fingertip).

  6. If you want, attach your picture to a blue background using stick glue.

impressionist style tree drawn by mixing yellow and red oil pastels to make orange leaves using a blending stump

Blend pastels for an Impressionistic look.

Glue to a construction paper backing.

Tips:

  • Use your other hand to hold the paper steady as you rub the pastel over it.

  • Try to only touch the white space of the paper so your fingers don’t pick up and transfer smudges of color.

  • If you do smudge some oil pastel where you don’t want it, the kneaded eraser can help lift it from the paper.

  • Use baby wipes and paper towels to keep fingertips clean and dry.

  • If you don’t have a blending stump, you can wrap a paper towel around your fingertip and blend with that.

  • If the colors aren’t blending well, add more yellow so there is enough pigment on the paper to push around and blend.

 

This art project makes a great enrichment activity to go along with our Mimic the Masters: Impressionists art curriculum designed for preschool thru middle school. Head to our shop to download the first two lessons for free.

You may also like:

Tiffiny Spire
Next

Field of Flowers Tinfoil Painting