Mother Nature paints with a vibrant brush during autumn. Take advantage of this inspiration on your canvases.
This time of year brings forth so many beautiful artistic opportunities. For those living in the New England states, this is particularly true. This tutorial requires a bit of a field trip if trees containing foliage are not within walking distance.
Materials:
- Canvas, either stretched or a board (any size is fine)
- Pieces of waxed paper
- Heavy book (like a dictionary or gardening book)
- Acrylic paint, fall colors
- Paint palette or palette paper
- Paint or sponge brushes
- Pressed fall foliage
- Gel or decoupage medium
- Small containers of water
- Newspaper to cover work surface
- Black sharpie, fine tipped
- Ephemera and embellishments with a fall theme
Instructions:
- Gather several leaves that are intact and not too dried out. Choose as many shades of orange, red, yellow, and brown as possible. Try finding different species, as well.
- Press these leaves between waxed paper in a large book over night.
- Prepare a work surface by spreading newspapers out and all the materials listed above. If the opportunity to work on this outdoors presents itself, take full advantage so inspiration from nature can be derived.
- Start with light colors in the center of the canvas, like yellow or orange, and work out toward the edges. Blend in darker colors, like reds and browns at the edges of the canvas.
- Allow the canvas to dry nearly-completely. In the meantime, prepare the rest of the supplies (if magazines need to be cut for collage elements, etc.) to adhere to the piece.
- While the paint is still tacky, embellish the painting with the pressed leaves, ephemera, and embellishments. Create a collaged look, a scrapbook appearance, or a structured painting carrying a specific theme. Follow how the elements inspire the piece and let it evolve.
- Add text, quotations, song lyrics, and random thoughts about autumn. Be sure to layer text over the paint, as well as over the ephemera to tie it all in together.
- Seal the entire piece with another layer of gel or decoupage medium once the ink and paint has dried completely.
Variations:
- If stretched canvas is used for this project, paint the blunt edges with black or dark brown to add dimension to the piece.
- Consider adding color paint, or using a gold paint pen, for added flair and interest to text.
- Sprinkle with gold, copper, or bronze dust or glitter after the final coat of seal goes on.
- Add twigs from the collection of fall items gathered to give the painting more opportunities for natural elements, dimension, and opportunities for unique painting.
Share this work when it is finished. Hang it in a living room, dining room, kitchen or anywhere else to showcase the changing of the seasons and how it inspires art and creativity.
The copyright of the article Pressed Leaves Paintings in Assemblage Art is owned by Jenn Greenleaf. Permission to republish Pressed Leaves Paintings in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
