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Leaf prints are fun and easy crafts for kids of all ages. They're also a great scrapbooking idea or a way to enhance gift wrap, cards and other paper crafts.
As an added bonus, you get two activities in one in that you'll need to take a nature walk and collect leaves of all shapes and sizes. Return home and use your leaves for your craft projects.
Steps
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Choose leaves that are still fresh and pliable. Leaves that are dried will not work, as they'll snap and crumble when pressed or worked on.
- Make sure that the leaves are dry before using.
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Lay newspapers down to protect your work surface.Advertisement
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Select a piece of paper for your leaf print. Squeeze a little paint onto a small plate or palette.
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Paint the surface of the leaf with paint. This is best done by placing the leaf on kitchen paper towel and painting over using a small paint roller suitable for craft projects. Make sure the entire leaf is covered. [1] X Research source
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Gently flip the leaf paint side down onto the paper. Carefully but firmly press on the leaf to ensure that the entire leaf comes into contact with the paper. [2] X Research source
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Peel the leaf from the paper and you should have a printed mirror image of your leaf.
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Repeat with the same leaf and different leaves. The same leaf can be used up to six times before it ceases to leave an acceptable imprint. And by adding different sorts of leaves, you can build a pretty pattern or design for gift paper, cards, a painting, or any other paper craft project. [3] X Research source
- Add more leaves of different sizes and in different colors.
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Let the paintwork dry. Then frame or use your masterpiece for whatever purpose intended. [4] X Research source
Community Q&A
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QuestionCan I use water color?Community AnswerYes.
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QuestionWhich leaves are good for printing?Community AnswerLarge ones with raised veins that are textured and not completely flat. Try using ivy, oak or thorny leaves.
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QuestionWhen someone says leaf print in two colors, does it have to be separately?Kicky RickyCommunity AnswerAs you see on the presentation, it all comes out from your imagination. If you want and you are precise enough, you can make even more color per one leaf.
Video
Tips
- Some ideas for adding leaf prints to include:
- A gift card and envelope
- Gift wrapping paper
- Paper book covers
- Posters for a nature themed room
- Small paper mementos for visitors who have gone on a nature trek with you
- Scrapbooking designs
- Diary covers
- Gift tags
- Add several along a string to make a decoration or bunting
- Menus.
Thanks
Warnings
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Thanks
Things You'll Need
- Various shapes of leaves
- Paper, card, etc.
- Acrylic craft paints
- Small craft paint roller; brushes can also be used
- Paper towels for clean up and for laying the leaves on when painting them
- Newspaper
- Cup of water for cleaning roller or brushes
References
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COQbfT7KXW8
- ↑ https://theimaginationtree.com/leaf-printing-art/
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DknOvAlfX5o
- ↑ https://meaningfulmama.com/how-to-make-diy-fall-leaf-prints-with-kids.html
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/how-to-remove-paint-from-everything-48451#removing-paint-from-brick
- https://www.hobbyfarms.com/3-ways-to-make-prints-with-leaves/
About This Article
Leaf prints are an easy way to add a decorative touch to any art project. To get started, collect some leaves that are still fresh and flexible. Don’t use old, dried-out leaves, since they’ll crumble. Lay down some newspapers to protect your workspace from paint, then put down your paper, canvas, or any other surface you’d like to decorate. Squeeze some paint onto a palette or a small plate, then brush the paint onto the surface of one of the leaves with a paintbrush or a small paint roller. Put the leaf on a paper towel or on top of the newspaper while you work to avoid making a mess. Then, flip the leaf over and press the painted side down on your paper or canvas while the paint is still wet. Peel the leaf away carefully to leave a print behind. Experiment with using different shapes of leaves or painting the same leaf with different colors to create multi-colored prints. Add as many prints as you like to your artwork, then let it dry. Enjoy your unique leaf-print painting.
