Leaf Art Techniques - Post Card Swap - Send by September 25th

Impression over music paper background

Here's your chance to use some elements from nature to "make a good impression!"  We wanted to announce this before the leaves fall off the trees for autumn!



Joanne is hosting this swap.  Use a real "fresh-picked" leaf or leaves to make an impression, then design up to four cards to swap. You can use different techniques and media to get the results you want.

Some fun techniques to cosider include: 

Crayon rubbing over muslin fabric

leaf rubbing- use the side of a crayon (Why should kids have all the fun?).  Place a leaf, ridges side up, on top of scrap paper. Cover with a thin piece of paper or muslin and rub the crayon across the surface over the leaf shape until the image appears. Deli Waxed Paper is one possibility, among other papers.








leaf pounding- place a leaf ridged side up on top of a layer of scrap paper or newspaper on a firm surface.  (Not Aunt Grace's antique tea cart please!!!)  Position your art paper over the ridged side of the leaf (watercolor paper works really well, also muslin).  With a hammer, pound gently all over the shape of the leaf until you think the whole image has transferred.  Image will appear on side that touches leaf.

Pounded impression on watercolor paper

leaf printing-  use ink or paint of your choice to paint the back of the leaf.  Applying acrylics thinly works well here. Carefully turn the leaf over and place onto paper or fabric, rub gently, then carefully remove leaf.  Voila!

Three colors of overlapping inked impressions