Making leaf prints

Making Leaf Prints

Every leaf is unique. Here is a simple way to look at a leaf in a new way.

Take your group on a short excursion where they can find some leaves. Ask each member to collect several leaves with prominent veins. Then reassemble the group at some work tables that have been covered with newspaper.

Lay the leaf upside down on newspaper. With a stiff paint brush, paint the leaf with acrylic paint making certain that all the veins are covered.

Carefully remove the painted leaf to a new clean section of newspaper. Carefully lay a sheet of office copy paper onto the leaf so the the paint does not smudge. Rub the sheet of paper. You should be able to see the form of the veins pressing through the sheet.

Carefully remover the sheet of paper from the leaf. (If the paint is too sticky you might have to remover the leaf from the sheet).

Try it again with different leaves and different colours of paint.

You will now have several leaf prints to frame or give away as gifts or cards.

This activity might lead to a a discussion about the diversity of leaves. Are any two leaves the same? Why are the veins on different kinds of leaves in a different pattern? What are the feelings of the members of the group? Have they been inspired by the activity?

[We have suggested acrylic paint because it cleans up easily with water. Classroom poster paint will also work if it does not dry too quickly]