Falling Into Color

FALLing Into Color explores the balance between careful observation and creative imagination. Students began by drawing autumn leaves from printed photographic reference, focusing on accurate shape, vein structure, and realistic color transitions. Using colored pencil, they layered warm fall hues—reds, oranges, yellows, and greens—to capture the subtle variations and textures found in each leaf.

Once the leaf was complete, students shifted from observation to invention. The backgrounds were created entirely from their imagination, allowing each artist to place their leaf into a unique environment, mood, or visual narrative. Some backgrounds suggest movement, weather, or place, while others rely on pattern, abstraction, or contrast to make the leaf stand out. Together, the works highlight both technical color control and personal expression, showing how a single natural form can anchor a wide range of imaginative outcomes.