Five Freehand Leaves: Watercolor Tutorial
Want to add some new leaves into your loose watercolor bouquets, wreaths, and paintings? This is a great place to start!
If you want to feel more confident painting leaves and foliage right into your paintings, this is the class for you!
In this short, beginner-friendly class, you’ll learn how to paint five freehand leaf shapes using simple brushstrokes you can use in any floral composition. In just under 30 minutes, you’ll practice the foundational thin-to-thick strokes that help leaves look natural and flowing, all without any sketching required and then paint five different leaf types including serrated edge leaves and lobed leaves.
This is a fun, low-pressure class designed to help you loosen up, build brush confidence, and understand how to shape leaves with intention instead of guesswork. Whether you’re new to watercolor or want a quick creative warm-up, you’ll walk away with leaf styles you can use again and again in bouquets, wreaths, seasonal pieces, and everyday paintings.
Inside This Class You'll Learn
- How to build confident brush control using thin to thick strokes that create expressive, consistent leaf shapes you can use in any floral painting.
- How to paint five essential leaf styles and adapt them for eucalyptus, rose leaves, wild foliage, and countless other botanical designs.
- How to create depth and movement through color variation, soft blends, and simple shading techniques that bring your foliage to life.
What’s Included
This on demand lesson includes one step-by-step video that is about twenty nine minutes long. You’ll learn five different leaf styles and essential brush techniques you can apply immediately to your floral paintings. Lifetime access is included so you can revisit the lesson anytime for a quick creative warmup or a refresher on loose foliage.
Is This Class Right for You?
This class is perfect for beginners who want a simple, enjoyable introduction to loose watercolor foliage. It’s also great for anyone who wants to strengthen their brush control or add more variety to the greenery in their floral paintings. If you’ve ever felt stuck painting the same leaf shape over and over, or if you want leaves that feel more natural and expressive, this class will be an ideal fit.
You’ll finish with five go-to leaf styles and the confidence to design branches and greenery for any floral project.
Supplies You’ll Need
You’re welcome to use supplies you already have. For best results, we recommend using 100 percent cotton, high-quality watercolor paper, since it makes the biggest difference in your painting experience. You’ll also need a couple of round watercolor brushes and a selection of paints you enjoy using.
If you’re looking for specific recommendations, you can find Alex’s favorite supplies at alexkincaidart.com/supplies.
Questions?
Feel free to reach out to support@alexkincaidart.com and we'll be happy to help! Keep scrolling for some important information on how your class is delivered, your next steps, and some frequently asked questions.
Five Freehand Leaves: Watercolor Tutorial
Helpful Information Before You Begin
Every class and guide is designed to support you at different stages of your watercolor journey.
Beginner-friendly classes offer step-by-step guidance and traceables, while more advanced lessons help you refine techniques, mix colors with confidence, and explore creative decision-making.
We’ve carefully written each product description to explain what’s included, so be sure to read through those to find the class that fits your skill level and goals. If you’re unsure where to start, we recommend choosing a project that feels fun and approachable, and you’re always welcome to contact us for help choosing the right fit by writing to support@alexkincaidart.com.
Your journey with watercolor is off to a great start. Once you place your order, you’ll receive a confirmation email followed by separate emails for each class or guide you purchased.
If you bought a downloadable guide, it will be included right in your email. If you purchased an online class or tutorial, you’ll receive login details so you can access the classroom. All video lessons and printable materials are available immediately, and you can work through everything at your own pace.
If you ever have questions, our team is here to help at support@alexkincaidart.com
These classes are designed to be accessible and flexible, so you’re welcome to use supplies you already have.
For best results, we recommend using 100 percent cotton, high-quality watercolor paper as it’s the most important supply when watercolor painting. You’ll also need a couple round watercolor brushes and a selection of paints you enjoy using.
If you’re looking for specific recommendations, you can find Alex’s favorite supplies at alexkincaidart.com/supplies. Many students choose to watch the lesson first, then upgrade supplies once they understand how watercolor materials behave.
Great question! The Garden Studio is Alex’s botanical watercolor membership. While some standalone classes or guides may also appear inside the membership library, purchasing an individual class here gives you lifetime access to that specific product, regardless of your membership status.
If you’d like to keep painting with Alex and explore a growing library of more than 250 hours of lessons, be sure to check out The Garden Studio here to see if it’s a good fit for you.
All of our classes and guides are digital products, so nothing is shipped. Your content is delivered by email immediately after purchase, and you can access everything at your own pace.
Because of the nature of digital content, purchases are non-refundable. All videos, workbooks, and traceables are for personal use only and may not be shared, copied, or used commercially.
By purchasing this product, you agree to our full Terms and Conditions which you can read here.