The air has a certain bite to it now, and my coffee order has officially switched from iced to hot. That shift always triggers something in my brain, a need to redecorate my bullet journal with all the warm, earthy tones of the season. If you are looking for some doodle icons for fall to break up your weekly spreads, you are in the right place.
I’ve been sketching a lot of pumpkins and acorns lately, trying to find that balance between “cute” and “actually recognizable.” It’s a tricky line to walk, but honestly, the mistakes are part of the fun. So, grab your favorite fine-liner and maybe a chunky marker; here is a whole page of cozy doodle inspiration to get you started.
### Start With the Essential Fall Doodles: Pumpkins and Squash
Let’s be real, you can’t have a fall doodle collection without a pumpkin. But instead of drawing the same generic jack-o’-lantern, try sketching a few different shapes. I like to draw one that is tall and slightly lumpy, and another that is short and round, just to see which one turns out cuter.
The trick to a good pumpkin doodle is the ridges. You want to draw curved lines that go from the stem down to the base, following the roundness of the body. Don’t overthink it, just let the lines be a little wobbly; it adds character.
And hey, don’t forget the stem. A little curled stem with a tiny leaf attached is what sells the whole thing. You can shade one side with a colored pencil if you’re feeling fancy, or just keep it as a clean line drawing.
### How to Draw a Maple Leaf That Doesn’t Look Like a Potato
Ok so, leaves are harder than they look, right? I’ve definitely drawn a few lumps that were supposed to be leaves but ended up looking more like weird little potatoes. Here’s the thing, you don’t need to be precise, you just need a little structure.
Start with a single line for the stem. Then, at the top, draw five skinny shapes that fan out, sort of like fingers on a hand. The three middle fingers should be longer, and the two on the sides should be shorter and point outwards.
Once you have that basic star shape, you can go back and add the jagged edges or you can leave it smooth. A simplified, rounded leaf is actually my favorite, it feels softer and more illustrative. And the best part about fall leaves? You can color them any mix of red, orange, and yellow, so your mistakes blend right in.
### Acorns, Mushrooms, and Forest Floor Favorites
These are the supporting actors of the autumnsketch world that really tie the page together. A tiny mushroom, specifically one with a red cap and little white dots (think amanita muscaria), is probably my favorite thing to draw. It looks magical and woodsy without trying too hard.
A cute acorn is just two shapes squished together. You have the cap, which is a little bowl shape with a crosshatch pattern, and the body, which is a smooth oval underneath. It takes about four seconds to draw, which makes it perfect for filling in those awkward empty margins at the end of your week.
For a more detailed spread, you could even try a cluster of these. A mushroom hanging out next to a fallen acorn with a leaf in the background creates a mini scene. This is also a great way to practice layering your doodles without worrying about realistic perspective.
### Turn Your Bulletjournaldoodles Into a Layout
Drawing these little icons is fun, but the real magic is figuring out how to use them in your actual planner. You don’t need a whole page dedicated to art, you just need a few sneaky ways to integrate them into your to-do lists.
– Place a tiny pumpkin next to your priority task for the day.
– Use a small acorn as the bullet point for your “self-care” category.
– Create a mini header for a “gratitude log” surrounded by a few scattered leaves.
– Add a mushroom doodle in the corner of your habit tracker to signpost the new season.
The best way to make a doodle look intentional is to treat it like a badge. Draw it in a specific spot, like the end of a line, and it immediately looks like a planned design element. It’s a little touch, but it makes the whole spread feel so much more curated and personal.
### Play With a Specific Palette for Your Falldoodles
Okay, practical tip: don’t use neon colors here. I know that sounds obvious, but the color palette is the difference between a spread that feels cozy and one that feels chaotic. Choose a palette of deep burgundy, rust orange, mustard yellow, and a muted olive green.
If you draw everything in black ink first, you can then go in with a brush pen or watercolor to fill in the color. I usually stick to two colors per doodle to keep it simple. For instance, making a pumpkin a solid burnt orange with a teal stem adds a tiny pop of contrast, plus it looks very Pinterest, if I’m being honest.
Using the same 3 or 4 colors across all your bulletjournaldoodles physically ties the different sections of your week together. It creates a visual rhythm, and it stops your brain from getting overwhelmed by all the information on the page. One cohesive look, one calm planner.
### Hand Lettering Pairings That Just Work
You can’t talk about doodle icons without mentioning the words you put next to them. A hand-drawn heading styled like “week forty” or “harvest” looks ten times better when it’s accompanied by a small sprig of leaves. The combination of lettering and illustration is where the real aesthetic magic happens.
Try partnering your doodle icons with a bold serif font. Write out a title, like “October,” and then underline it with a simple row of tiny acorns. Or, let a vine curl around the first letter of your header. It’s a way to practice your calligraphy during a low-stress, fun drawing session.
The goal isn’t perfection, it’s consistency. If you practice the same sprig of leaves over and over, you’ll get faster, and eventually, you’ll develop a signature style that is uniquely yours. That’s when your handdrawnicons start to feel really special.
### So, Are You Ready to Sketch With Me?
There is just something so satisfying about winding down with a pen and a notebook as the nights get longer. I love the quiet focus of it, it’s almost like meditation, but with the bonus of a pretty spread at the end. I hope this list gave you a few fresh ideas for your own pages.
Grab your sketchbook, put on a sweater, and maybe make a cup of tea. Then, just try one acorn. See where it takes you. ✏
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