Below you’ll find an easy step-by-step tutorial for a Zentangle Leaf Art Project Tutorial Video and a Leaf Coloring Page. A simple project with very pretty results.

Pattern Leaf Drawing Video

An easy Zentangle Leaf art project that starts with a line drawing of a maple leaf.

Gallery of Leaf Art

Examples of Zentangle leaf art projects. — Line Art Leaves by students

Maple Leaf Cookies, with edible pen drawings, by my friend Sally. Amazing!

More about Zentangle Leaf Art

This easy Zentangle Leaf Art project with a maple leaf shows how pretty line drawings can be, when they are made with care, and lots of detail. When students start with a light outline of a leaf already in place, they can just concentrate on making to as many different patterns inside as possible. It may sound simple, but it can quickly show what a difference detailed work can make. Those that really take their time to make as many small patterns as possible are almost guaranteed to get some eye-popping results.

Keep in mind that this ability to focus and do detailed work also has a lot to do with the age of most elementary students. Kinder and first graders don’t quite have that in place yet, and some 2nd and 3rd graders are just beginning to exercise it. That’s not to say that this is only a 4th and 5th grade project, all levels can benefit from some fine motor skill tracing and drawing. It’s just that the expectations need to fluctuate a bit, depending on the age and grade level. Note: Are you studying the Elements of Art in your room? This is an obvious tie in with LINES and SHAPES.

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A leaf template, available as a free PDF. — Leaf with light gray lines, use this for tracing

Materials for the Line Art Leaf

Drawing Paper. This is the good stuff you can buy in bulk for a good price.
Fine Tip Black Marker. A thin tip allows for lots of tiny detail.
Note: All of the above are Amazon affiliate links.

Directions for Zentangle Leaf Art Project

Time needed: 45 minutes

Line Art Maple Leaf

Print the light drawing of the leaf.
Students trace the gray lines with a thin marker.
Each closed area gets filled with a different pattern.
The more detail and variety, the better!
Students continue until each section is filled.
Older students can go over the first tracing to make the lines have a thick and thin quality.

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