How to Draw an Oak Leaf (Easy Step by Step)
An oak leaf and an acorn make a perfect pair, and they are built from simple shapes: bumpy puffs, straight lines, a dome and a rounded point. You will practice a wavy edge on the leaf and a crisscross pattern on the acorn cap. When you finish, you have a little autumn picture to color.
- Medium
- 15 minutes
- 8 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawingIn this article (7 sections)
How to draw an oak leaf step by step
How to Draw an Oak Leaf · tinyhandscreate.com
Step 1: Guide shapes
Lightly sketch these 2 ovals. They only show where the big parts go, so press softly. You will erase them at the end.
Step 2: The leaf outline
Start near the top and draw a long, bumpy shape that slants down to the right, like a row of round puffy bumps. Close the shape at the bottom with a flat, gentle point.
Step 3: Start of the vein
Draw a short straight line inside the lower part of the leaf. Start it near the middle and slant it down to the bottom point.
Step 4: Veins and stem
Continue the middle line up to the top left of the leaf. Add short lines branching off it toward the bumps on the edge, and draw a short stem sticking out past the bottom point.
Step 5: The acorn cap top
Now draw the acorn. Start with a curved dome shape for the cap, like the top half of a small ball tipped to one side.
Step 6: The cap's bottom edge
Draw a gently curved line across the bottom of the dome, from the left side to the right side. It closes the cap like the brim of a hat.
Step 7: The acorn nut
Under the cap, start at the left end of the brim and draw a curve down to a soft point. Then curve back up to the right end of the brim.
Step 8: Cap pattern and stem
Draw a few crisscross lines on the cap to make little diamonds, like a net. Add a small curly stem sticking out of the top of the cap.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your oak leaf? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw an owl or how to draw a scarecrow next.
Tips for drawing an oak leaf
- The bumpy leaf edge is the trickiest part. Draw it as a chain of small round bumps, one after another, instead of one long wiggle.
- Draw the middle line of the leaf straight, then add the side lines so each one leans toward the top of the leaf.
- For the acorn cap pattern, draw a couple of lines one way and then a couple of lines crossing them. Light lines first make it easy to fix wobbles.
Free oak leaf coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this oak leaf coloring page at full size and print it. It is the same drawing you just learned, with clean lines ready for crayons or markers.
How to color your oak leaf drawing
Try warm autumn colors: red, orange and yellow for the leaf, and a light brown nut with a darker brown cap. For a creative twist, make every bump on the leaf a different fall color.
Oak leaf fun fact for kids
Every acorn is the seed of an oak tree, and an acorn can grow into a brand new oak. Squirrels bury lots of acorns for winter, and the ones they forget can sprout into trees.
Questions about drawing an oak leaf
What shapes do I need to draw an oak leaf?
You need a long bumpy shape made of little round puffs, plus a straight line down the middle and short lines branching off it. A short stem at the bottom finishes it.
How do I draw an acorn?
Draw a dome for the cap and a curved line across its bottom. Then draw a rounded shape with a soft point underneath for the nut. Add a crisscross pattern on the cap and a small curly stem on top.
How do I make the leaf edge look wavy?
Think of drawing a row of small clouds along the edge. Pick up your pencil between bumps if that helps, and then connect them.
