When the leaves of trees take on vibrant hues, blending reds, ochres, oranges, and yellows, there’s no doubt—autumn has arrived! Why not take advantage of the last beautiful days, albeit chilly but sunny, to create an autumn mandala? This fun and artistic activity can be enjoyed with the whole family, young and old alike, or in solitude as a zen and stress-relieving practice. This ephemeral art form comes from 'Land Art', which involves creating temporary works using natural materials. Follow our tutorial to create stunning autumn mandalas.

autumn leaf mandala land art child

Leaf mandala created by a 7-year-old child

What do I need?

Land art is all about using what you find in nature. Follow your instincts and gather the objects and leaves that inspire you. Let your creativity flow. Here’s a small, non-exhaustive list if you need guidance:

  • A basket to collect your finds
  • Autumn leaves—brown, red, yellow, and green
  • Pine cones
  • Sticks of wood, pebbles
  • Chestnuts, acorns, hazelnuts
  • Flower petals
  • Whatever you like...

Where can you create an autumn mandala?

You can make this mandala during a forest walk, on a hiking trail, in your garden, or on your terrace. Typically, Land Art is practised outdoors so the artwork remains ephemeral, but you can also create it indoors on a sheet of paper for younger children. Be sure to choose a sheltered spot to avoid your leaves blowing away during creation.

How to create an autumn mandala?

  • Step 1: Go for an autumn stroll to gather leaves, pebbles, and anything else you need for your mandala;

autumn land art mandala

  • Step 2: Choose a spot to set up your artwork;
  • Step 3: Sort your finds by shape, texture, and colour. For example: make a pile of red leaves and another for yellow ones, sticks on one side, chestnuts on the other;
  • Step 4: Start by placing the centre of your mandala. Usually, this is a beautiful leaf, a striking pebble, or an object you find captivating. Note: Some people prefer to start their mandala from the outer circle, but personally, I find this limits your creativity and adds constraints. Starting from the outside is also tricky if you’re working with children who might accidentally disrupt the circle;

how to make a leaf mandala land art

  • Step 5: Surround the heart of the mandala with successive circles. For a beautiful result, alternate colours and textures;

autumn land art mandala

  • Step 6: Admire your ephemeral masterpiece.
autumn leaf mandala land art child

Mandala made of leaves, chestnuts, and pine cones

Note:

  • The mandala can take the shape of a heart, fish, butterfly, star, etc.;
  • You can sketch complex shapes or figures with chalk before decorating them with leaves;
  • Try creating a colour gradient with foliage;
  • Use chalk or an acrylic pen to decorate leaves with drawings or patterns;
  • The beach in summer and snow in winter also make fantastic playgrounds for creating ephemeral Land Art.

heart-shaped leaf mandala land art

To go further:

  • To learn about the origins and artists of this ephemeral and natural art form, check out our article: What is Land Art?
  • Discover Yarn Bombing: The Art of Knitting Trees in the City.