How to Make Fern Prints

Fern prints display the texture and beauty of the plant.

"Go green" with your creativity by displaying the beauty of foliage from your home garden or surrounding area. You can transfer the delicate, textured look of fern fronds to paper, cloth or whatever surface you are using for your decorative art. Making fern prints is an easy project and one that can be enjoyed for years to come.

Things You'll Need

• Canvas panel
• Protective gloves
• Sponge square, 12" x 12", 1/4" thick
• Square cake pan, 12" x 12"
• 10 oz. light gray ink
• Fern frond
• Assorted paint brushes
• Assorted colored inks
• Spray craft gloss

Instructions

1. Place the square sponge piece into the cake pan, shoving it down until it is flat on the bottom.

2. Put on the protective gloves and then squeeze the gray ink onto the sponge. Cover the entire surface of the sponge with the ink.

3. Select a large, attractive fern frond. Press it flat against the surface of the ink-soaked sponge. Be gentle and make sure the entire underside of the frond is saturated with the gray ink.

4. Peel the fern from the sponge carefully and press it against the surface of the canvas panel. Press it in place for about 10 seconds before gently peeling it away.

5. Repeat Step 4 as necessary for your design. Discard the ink-soaked fern frond and allow the canvas panel to dry for an hour.

6. Add colored accents to the fern print using fine-tipped paintbrushes and inks in assorted shades of gray and green or any other colors you may prefer. Let the print dry for another 10 minutes.

7. Shake the can of gloss craft spray and aim it about four inches from the surface of the canvas print. Release a mist from the nozzle by pressing down on it firmly. Cover the entire surface of the canvas fern print with a thin layer of the gloss. Let dry.