You can paint a Fall Sign with Leaves!  Easy step by step painting tutorial.  A free downloadable pattern is available to print.

Paint a Fall sign with leaves and acorns should suit the majority of folks that are anxious for Fall to arrive in their areas if it hasn’t already.

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For this sign, I used a live edge board that I got from a friend who has a lumber mill.  I love the rustic touch it adds but you can easily use a 1″ x 10″ of lumber or pallet wood you have attached together to get the width.  

Visit this post to see how you can attach narrower boards together to make a wide surface to paint.

Stain the wood to let the grain show, you can use whatever stain you have on hand.  I love this waterbased stain, it comes in several colors.  

I buy mine at a local Ace Hardware so check around where you live if you don’t want to order online.

Tape the letters to the board for placement and spacing.

 The A is in the pattern download even though I did not use it on my Fall sign.

Trace Pattern

To start to paint a Fall sign transfer pattern using white graphite, if the surface is rough you may need to press slightly firmer than with a regular smooth board.  

I included the A in the layout so I could get spacing as accurate as possible but then put the leaves and acorns in place of the A.

For the Fall Oak Leaves painting tutorial press here.

This would look great with a pumpkin in place of the A, here is a link for a Tutorial, Paint an Orange Pumpkin.

Paint in Letters

Paint in the letters using the 3/4″ brush for the wider areas and a #10 for the narrower.  Start with Goldenrod.  (if you cannot find Golden Rod I would mix Med yellow with yellow ochre, it comes close)
Paint a couple of coats for opacity.

Don’t worry if the paint layers are not perfectly opaque, the background showing through in areas just adds texture.

Need some helpful hints for painting the lettering? See this post Paint a Harvest sign.

Shade the Letters

Use the #10 flat brush and Burnt Umber to paint the shadowing along the right side.  This type of offset shadowing helps you to get a 3D effect, and some depth.

Next double load the 3/4″ brush with the Goldenrod and Pueblo and paint again with the Pueblo along the left outer edge. Tone down the Pueblo with some Raw Sienna mixed in.  

Add Texture

Spritzing watered down paint onto your design is called fly specking and it adds some texture and interest.

To add fly specking water your paint down to an inky consistency, using an old paintbrush or toothbrush, run something along the bristles causing the paint to spatter. (practice on paper or another surface to get the hang of it)

Acorns

Don’t forget the fun little acorns.

You can find the easy painting tutorial for the Acorns here

They are super simple but add a fun little detail to make your sign even more Fallish.

Once all the paint is dry finish with the Varathane listed. I have found this to be the best for outdoor use. If the sign is outdoors use a few coats of varathane with a light sand between coats.

You will find the pattern for the lettering is available on our Subscribers Only page that is password protected. If you are not a subscriber yet just sign up below and get access to all the downloads, patterns and free stuff.

If you are already a subscriber the Password is included in every email. Check back on your most recent email.

Supplies:

1″ x 10″ pine board (or lumber of choice)
water base stain or stain of choice
Plaid Folk Art paint: (you can use colors you already have that are close to these or choose your own preference of colors)
Burnt Umber
Raw Sienna
Goldenrod
Medium Yellow
Pueblo
Brushes:
One stroke set
Brush caddy
White graphite paper

Rustoleum varathane (I have found this at both Lowes and Home Depot)

Happy Fall Painting!

Please enjoy and share!