Round turkey from the side, its tail up toward the templeBrown, copper, cream. A plump side-on bird on the cheek; cream bars across each tail feather.
Turkey ducking behind a pie wedge, tail feathers showingBrown, tan, orange, white. A pie wedge on the cheek; a turkey's eyes and tail feathers show over it.
Pie slice seen from the side, cream melting down its pointTan, orange, white, brown. A wedge on the cheek with a crimped crust edge; white cream slides toward its point.
Birch leaf in yellow, small teeth along both edgesYellow, olive. A pointed oval with small teeth along both sides; a single olive line down its middle.
Gust of wind curling over the cheek with three leaves in itWhite, red, orange, yellow. Two white curl lines sweep from the ear side; a leaf rides each bend.
Leaf boat with a twig mast sailing a small puddleOrange, brown, blue. A curled leaf on a blue oval on the cheek; a thin twig stands in it with a small leaf as the sail.
Leaf with a caterpillar-nibbled edge and three holesOlive, gold, brown. A broad leaf on the cheek with a wavy bitten edge and three small bare circles inside it.
Maple seed pair spinning down toward the jawTan, brown, white. Two joined winged seeds on the cheek; three white curved lines above show the spin.
Mitten-shaped leaf in orange, one thumb lobe to the sideOrange, red, brown. A leaf shaped like a mitten on the cheek, the thumb lobe pointing to the ear; brown veins.
Oak leaf on the cheek, its lobes in gold and brownGold, brown. A wavy-edged leaf across the apple of the cheek; a brown midrib and four side veins.
Pale leaf with every vein drawn in, like a rubbingTan, brown. A flat tan leaf on the cheek; each vein drawn in a thin brown line, as a crayon rubbing shows them.
Raked leaf pile along the jaw with the rake standing in itOrange, red, yellow, brown. A low heap of dabs along the jawline; a thin rake leans out of the top.
Ring of small leaves circling the apple of one cheekRed, orange, gold, brown. Ten tiny leaves, tips all pointing the same way around, bare skin inside.
Shiny chestnut peeking from a split green burrBrown, green, white. A round brown nut with a white shine on the cheek, half inside a spiky green case.
Sprouting acorn: a crack in the shell, one curled green stemTan, brown, green. An acorn on its side on the cheek; a curled stem rises from the crack, two small leaves on it.
Turkeys 12
Mirrored turkeys, one per cheek, tails toward the earsBrown, red, orange, yellow. The same small bird twice, mirrored, tails toward the ears.
Plain turkey: a brown circle and five teardrop feathersBrown, red, orange, yellow. A brown circle body on the cheek; five teardrop feathers fanned behind it.
Round turkey from the side, its tail up toward the templeBrown, copper, cream. A plump side-on bird on the cheek; cream bars across each tail feather.
Thumbprint turkey with four finger-dab feathersBrown, red, orange, yellow. A brown thumbprint body; four fingertip dabs above it; legs and beak in pen.
Turkey ducking behind a pie wedge, tail feathers showingBrown, tan, orange, white. A pie wedge on the cheek; a turkey's eyes and tail feathers show over it.
Turkey from behind, its feathers a full round wheelBrown, red, orange, gold. A full circle of feathers on the cheek with a small brown body in front, facing away.
Turkey head peeking up from the jawlineBrown, red, yellow, white. Only a head and neck rise from the jaw: round eyes, a beak and a red wattle.
Turkey in a bow tie on the cheekBrown, orange, yellow, blue. A round bird with a striped tail fan; a blue bow tie under its beak.
Turkey reading the dinner menu with a worried lookBrown, white, red, black. A small turkey on the cheek holds a white card marked MENU; its eyes are wide.
Two-color turkey: a brown dot and seven orange strokesBrown, orange. One round dab for the body and short strokes around its top half; nothing else.
Whole-face turkey: a yellow beak painted on the nose tipYellow, brown, red. A small yellow beak on the tip of the nose; a brown circle on each cheek; a red dot.
The word GOBBLE in an arc, a small feather after the EBrown, orange. Six capitals in a slight arc on the cheek; one small upright feather at the end.
Apples, corn and harvest 12
Basket of apples on the cheekBrown, tan, red, green. A woven basket with a curved handle; five red apples heaped above its rim.
Corn cob in rows of yellow dots, two green leaves foldedYellow, gold, green. Rows of yellow dots for kernels; two green husk leaves folded down either side.
Grapes in a point-down bunch, a spiral tendril on topPurple, lilac, green. Round grapes in a point-down bunch on the cheek; a leaf and a spiral tendril on top.
Green apple beside a red apple, a leaf on each stalkGreen, red, brown, white. Two round apples touching on the cheek, a short stalk and one leaf on each.
Honey jar with a wooden dipper resting across its topGold, tan, white. A round jar on the cheek, gold to the shoulder; a ridged wooden dipper lies over the rim.
Ladder leaning into an apple bough, three red apples leftBrown, green, red. A short ladder slants up the cheek into a leafy branch; three apples hang beside its top rung.
Pie slice seen from the side, cream melting down its pointTan, orange, white, brown. A wedge on the cheek with a crimped crust edge; white cream slides toward its point.
Red barn on the cheek with a rooster vane on the roofRed, white, black. A barn front with white cross doors; a tiny black bird shape on a pole above.
Red tractor driving along the jawRed, black, gray, yellow. A tractor with one big and one small wheel on the jawline; a puff behind its pipe.
Round hay bale on the jawline with a small bird on topGold, tan, brown. A spiral-ended bale low on the jaw; a small brown bird sits on it.
Small horn of plenty spilling fruit toward the noseTan, brown, red, purple, yellow. A curved horn opening on the cheek; an apple, grapes and a pear roll out.
Three wheat ears crossing on the cheek, tied with a bowGold, tan, red. Three stalks cross near the bottom; paired grain dashes up each; a red bow at the cross.
Plaid, scarves and cozy things 12
Big orange harvest moon low on the cheek, grass over itOrange, yellow, dark green. A large orange disc near the jaw; a few tall grass blades cross its lower edge.
Cocoa mug with three marshmallows and a single wisp aboveAny mug color, white, brown. A mug with a handle on the cheek; three white squares at the brim; one curl.
Flannel shirt pocket in rust plaid, a button at its top edgeRust, cream, brown. A small square crossed with wide and thin lines; a button dot at its top edge.
Folded sweaters in a stack of three, each a different knitRust, cream, navy. Three rounded rectangles piled on the cheek, a different line pattern on each one.
Geese flying in a V toward the hairline, the leader in frontBlack or gray. Seven small tick shapes in a V heading for the hairline, the leader at the point.
Knit hat with a pom-pom on the templeAny two colors, white. A striped hat shape on the temple with a folded brim and a round pom-pom.
Knitted cable braid along the jawlineCream, tan. Two strands crossing over and over along the jaw from below the ear, short rib lines beside them.
Open umbrella with leaves falling around itRed, black, orange, yellow. An umbrella on the cheek seen from the side; four leaves drift past it.
Pine cone built from rows of small U-shaped scalesBrown, tan, green. An egg shape filled with rows of small U scales; two green needles at its top.
Scarf end hanging down the cheek: five bands and tasselsMustard, navy, white. The end of a scarf hangs down the cheek: five bands and a row of tassel strokes.
Three brown mushrooms growing up from the jawlineBrown, tan, cream. A tall, a middle and a short mushroom with domed caps; grass ticks at their feet.
Tiny sweater on the cheek with a zigzag bandCream, rust, navy. A small sweater with both arms out; one zigzag across the chest and ribbed cuffs.
How it works
These autumn face paint ideas are 48 designs for the weeks between the first red leaf and Thanksgiving dinner: 12 of leaves and acorns, 12 turkeys, 12 from the harvest and 12 cozy things. 13 carry the Quick mark.
Read the full guide
Turkey face painting ideas
Turkeys holds 12. Plain turkey: a brown circle and five teardrop feathers is the simplest bird; Whole-face turkey: a yellow beak painted on the nose tip turns the whole face into one; Turkey ducking behind a pie wedge, tail feathers showing is the joke. No feather is worn as a band.
Leaves that are not a maple
The general face list has the maple leaf and the falling leaves. Here the leaves are other shapes: Mitten-shaped leaf in orange, one thumb lobe to the side, Birch leaf in yellow, small teeth along both edges, Maple seed pair spinning down toward the jaw.
Questions and answers
What are some easy thanksgiving face paint ideas?
The Quick group marks 13, such as Thumbprint turkey with four finger-dab feathers, Two-color turkey: a brown dot and seven orange strokes and Three wheat ears crossing on the cheek, tied with a bow.
Are there pumpkins or scarecrows on this list?
No. Pumpkins, scarecrows, bats and spiders are on the Halloween face list, so this one stays usable from September to late November: leaves, turkeys, apples, corn, plaid and scarves.
What fall design works for an adult?
A small one off the cheek. Geese flying in a V toward the hairline, the leader in front, Knit hat with a pom-pom on the temple and Knitted cable braid along the jawline are all small and sit away from the middle of the face.
What paint goes on a face for a fall fair?
Face paint sold for use on skin, and nothing else. The US FDA says not to decorate your face with things that are not intended for your skin, and not to go to bed with it on. The label says how to remove it.