How to Imprint Leaves With Watercolors

Use a leaf to add texture to your watercolor painting.

Exploring your creative side, you can use leaves to create texture and unique shapes when painting with watercolors. Using different techniques with leaves, whether creating a color imprint or an image imprint, your options are unlimited in personalizing your painting. Use one of nature's beauties to unleash your creative genius, even if you aren't very creative.

Things You'll Need

• Leaf
• Watercolor paint
• Watercolor paper
• Paintbrush
• Paper towel

Instructions

Creating a Color Imprint

1. Brush the watercolor paint directly onto the leaf.

2. Place the painted side of the leaf onto the watercolor paper.

3. Press down on the leaf to transfer the paint to the paper. Make sure to press the entire leaf firmly on the paper.

4. Lift the leaf off the paper. The paint on the leaf should have transferred to the paper. Repeat this step until the desired result is achieved.

Creating an Image Imprint

1. Paint the surface of the watercolor paper with the desired watercolor.

2. Place a clean, dry leaf directly on the painted paper.

3. Press the leaf down on the paper. Make sure to press the entire leaf firmly.

4. Lift the leaf off the paper. The paint from the paper should have transferred to the leaf and exposed some of the paper. Using a paper towel, wipe the paint off the leaf and repeat until the desired result is achieved.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a variety of leaves to add different shapes and textures to your painting.

References

• The Art of Watercolor; Charles Le Clair
• Watercolor Painting: Watercolor Tutorials