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Simple Autumn Doodles | Step-by-Step Watercolor Tutorial for Beginners

Hello, September! 🍂 In this post, I’m excited to guide you through a fun and easy autumn-themed doodle tutorial using watercolors and colored pencils. We’ll create some seasonal favorites like leaves, flowers, mushrooms, pumpkins, and more. This tutorial is perfect for beginners and anyone who wants to get into the fall spirit with some cozy, creative doodles.






Supplies You'll Need

Before we begin, let’s talk about what supplies we’re using. You don’t need anything fancy! Here’s a quick rundown of what I’ll be using:


Feel free to use whatever supplies you have on hand, and remember, the exact items I use are linked below the video.


Painting the First Leaf


We’re starting off with a simple leaf, painted in a warm golden-yellow tone. I mix raw sienna or yellow ochre with a bit of white to get that creamy, autumnal hue. Then, using a small round brush, I sketch out a three-leaf shape connected by a stem. Keep your brushstrokes loose and light—this isn’t about perfection!

The key here is to enjoy the process and get comfortable with blending. Don’t worry if your leaf shapes aren’t perfect; the beauty of watercolor is in its organic flow.





Creating a Loose Maple Leaf


Next, we’ll paint a loose version of a maple leaf using similar colors, but this time we’ll add more orange to the mix. Start with the same yellow base and gradually layer in some orange for depth. I keep the leaf shapes rounded and loose, letting the paint naturally spread.

Remember, using and reusing the same colors throughout your piece will help it feel cohesive. For example, the oranges we use here will also appear later in the pumpkins and mushrooms.





Adding Florals and Mushrooms


Now let’s add some simple flowers to balance out the leaves. I start with a small sketched circle and use quick, tiny brushstrokes to create petals. For the flowers, I mix magenta and red with lots of white to keep the colors soft. You can make a full circle of petals or just do a half-circle—both look lovely.

For the mushrooms, I use a dark cherry red to paint two rounded shapes for the caps. These little mushrooms add a cute, woodland touch to the illustration. Later, we’ll add more details with colored pencils, so don’t stress too much about getting the tiny details just right at this stage.






Pumpkins, Acorns, and Butterflies


What’s autumn without pumpkins? For our pumpkin, I mix a light orange using the same yellow and red tones we’ve already used. Draw a loose, oval shape for the pumpkin, and use your brush to lift some of the paint to create highlights. This gives the pumpkin a natural, soft appearance.

We’ll also add a small acorn to our doodles by painting a round brown shape for the acorn’s body, and then a darker brown cap on top. Finally, using the magenta color from the flowers, I paint a simple butterfly. The butterfly wings are loose and playful, adding a little more movement to the composition.







Finishing Touches with Colored Pencils


Once your watercolor is completely dry, it’s time to grab those colored pencils! This is where we add the final details—stems for the mushrooms, veins for the leaves, and curlicue vines for the pumpkin. Colored pencils let us add beautiful, delicate lines that really bring the doodles to life.

For an extra touch, I use my white gel pen or white gouache to add small polka dots to the mushroom caps. This simple detail makes the mushrooms pop and adds dimension to the piece.

If you’re nervous about watercolor, this is a great way to build confidence! The combination of paint and pencil allows for a lot of flexibility and creativity. So have fun with it, and don’t worry about perfection.





And there you have it! This simple autumn doodle page is the perfect exercise for beginners or anyone looking for a cozy, creative project. If you’re feeling inspired and want more content like this, be sure to check out my Patreon, where I share bonus tutorials every month.


Thanks so much for creating with me today! Be sure to subscribe to my channel for more tutorials, and I’ll see you in the next one. Happy drawing! 🌿

4o


CONNECT W/ @ShadyaCampbell





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