How to Draw a Leaf
Most of the work in this leaf drawing happens before the stem. Step 1 is the full maple outline in one go: start at the top point, zigzag down to a wide side tip and a smaller lower tip, then do the same on the other side so the halves mirror each other. Once the five tips are in place, the rest is easy to follow.
Veins from one spot
Step 2 adds a short stem with a slight curve. Steps 3, 4 and 5 are the veins, and the trick is to start them all from the same point on the middle line: one runs straight up to the top tip, two reach out to the side tips and two curve down to the lower ones. When the veins line up with the tips, the leaf looks right even if the edge is a little wobbly. Each step’s new lines are orange on the sheet of six boxes, and the sixth box shows the finished leaf with the word Done.
Ages and practice
This leaf is meant for ages 6 to 8. Every line is a straight stroke or a gentle curve, so a slow hand matters more than a ruler. Page 2 puts a small finished leaf and the five steps over a big empty box. There is also an animation of about 8 seconds and a dashed outline to trace. The zigzag edge is only big enough to copy at full size, so keep the A4 or Letter file at 100 percent.
Draw a leaf in 5 steps
Draw a big pointy leaf with five tips.
Add a short stem at the bottom.
Draw a straight vein up to the top tip.
Add two veins out to the big side tips.
Add two veins down to the bottom tips.
Tips to make your leaf drawing easy
- Start at the top point and zigzag down one side, then mirror it on the other side.
- Make the two side tips the widest part of the leaf.
- Draw the edge with short straight strokes; a slow hand matters more than a ruler.
- Give the stem a slight curve and a rounded end.
- Start all four side veins from the same spot on the middle vein.
- Watch the short animation, then try the leaf freehand on the practice page.
Leaf outline to print and trace
Print the finished outline on its own: trace over it with a pencil to learn the shapes, or use the dashed tracing sheet for younger kids who are still building pencil control. Both fit A4 and US Letter.
Color your leaf
Finished drawing? Print one of our 2 leaf coloring pages to color the same character in 2 difficulty levels, or color your own drawing with the step sheet beside you.
More leaf activities
Frequently asked questions
What are the five leaf steps?
A big pointy leaf with five tips, a short stem at the bottom, a straight vein up to the top tip, two veins out to the big side tips, and two veins down to the bottom tips.
What is in the sixth box?
The finished leaf, marked Done, so a child can compare it with their own drawing.
What does page 2 look like?
It is a practice page. A small finished leaf and the five steps sit at the top, with a large box marked Draw yours here below.
Why does the first step take the longest?
Step 1 is the whole outline with all five tips. Starting at the top point and zigzagging down one side, then mirroring it on the other, keeps the two halves even. The stem and veins after it are short lines.
About this printable
- Made with AI assistance (vector drawing authored by a language model) and checked by automated tests and an AI reviewer.
- Checked by automated tests and an AI reviewer on 22 Oct 2026.
- Free for personal and single-classroom use. See the license. Read the license · How these are made · Report a problem.
- Vector PDF, 2 pages, 186×254 mm art box — prints edge-safe on A4 and US Letter.
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