How to Make a Leaf Painting With Spray Paint

Autumn colors can inspire all kinds of creativity and indoor activities. In fact, leaf printing and collages is a great Autumn activity. But for a more skilled look, try an airbrush technique using common colored spray paints. Spray paints are more accessible and affordable for those who like airbrushed work. This project uses a combination of found nature objects such as stencils and spray paints to create a stunning fall art collage. Finished artwork can be displayed as-is, matted and framed or cut into smaller pieces to use for greeting cards or book markers. A great project for a cool autumn day, grab the pre-teens and let’s get going.

Things You'll Need

• Water color paper 11x18 sheet
• Spray paints
• Leaves
• Clear tape
• Room or area that is well ventilated

Instructions

1. Find leaves. Go for a walk in a park or tree lined area and collect a variety of leaves. Color is not important, but look for good shapes and a variety of sizes.

2. Press leaves and allow to dry flat. The flatter the leaf the better your final result will be. The leaves will basically become stencils, so clean outside lines are important. Place leaves in between the sheets of a newspaper and then place under a heavy book for about a week. Check on leaves periodically.

3. Take your watercolor paper and your leaves and apply three or four leaves to the paper. Simply “tack” the leaves onto the paper, place a little piece of transparent tape underneath. You just want the leaf to stay in place while you spray paint, so be gentle.

4. Take your first color, I recommend yellow, and with a 3 foot distance, lightly spray the yellow paint over the paper. You want the application to be light and transparent, much like an air brush effect. Focus the majority of your paint around the outside of the leaves that you have placed.

5. Let dry a few minutes and remove the leaves from the paper. You will see a silhouette of the leaf in white with the yellow color bordering.

6. Place a few more leaves in different areas of the paper. You will be covering some of the sprayed yellow areas so feel free to turn and place leaves in a scattered way. Tape leaves down gently with transparent tape from underneath. Spray lightly with another color.

7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 until you are happy with your layered airbrushed look.

8. Frame up the finished piece or cut it into smaller pieces to use for a greeting card or note card.

Tips & Warnings

• Let coats of spray paint dry fully before applying another layer.

• Layer many times and overlap previously sprayed areas for a shadowy effect.

• Don't overwork the piece. Too many layers and colors can muddy your final piece.

Resources

• A Practical Guide to Art Therapy Groups - Fausek 1997 Haworth Press