Rainbow Leaf Pressing

I wanted to make something unique and beautiful that I can display in my room so I made colorful leaf prints surrounding the word "Joy." The supplies you need for this project are minimal everyday supplies, colorful acrylic paints, and leaves. This is a super fun and easy activity to which you can add personal touches. You can write a quote or your name in the middle or make your leaf prints overlap. Whatever you decide to do is going to turn out unique and beautiful. Enjoy!

• Watercolor paper
• Paintbrush
• Leaves
• Acrylic paints in all colors of the rainbow
• Scratch paper
• Paper plate (to pour your paints on)
• Water (to rinse off your paintbrush)
• Paper towel (to dry off your paintbrush)

Go out into your yard or go on a walk and collect as many leaves as you want. The only thing you need to watch for is to make sure that the backs of the leaves have enough veins on them to make a good print. If there are very few or very small veins, then the print will most likely turn out to be a blob of paint without any cool textures. You may use all of the same leaves if you want, or you can use different leaves, it's up to you.

Start by placing your first leaf on top of scratch paper so that when you paint, the paint doesn't get on the surface you're using. Then, paint the back of the leaf (the side with the veins popping out) red. Do not use to much paint or you will not be able to see the textures. Next, place the leaf near the corner of your paper so that the side you painted red is facing down. Press gently with your fingertips so that all parts of the leaf touch the paper. After about 10 seconds gently peel the leaf off of the paper. You have the first leaf printed! Don't worry if some parts of the print seem lighter or more splotchy, that's what makes it look so cool!

Place your leaf on top of the scratch paper, then paint the back of the leaf (the side with the veins popping out) orange. Remeber not to use too much paint! Next, place the orange leaf facedown next to the red leaf. Press down gently all across the leaf so that all parts of the leaf touch the paper. Wait about 10 seconds, then gently pull the leaf off of the paper. Your second print is done!

Continue pressing leaves around the edge of your paper, following the same instructions from steps 2 and 3. Change the color you use each time you to match the colors of the rainbow in order. Press your leaves around the border until you reach your starting point. You have finished the leaf print border!

You can write or paint whatever word/words you want in the middle. You can use whichever color you want. I chose to write "Joy" in gold paint.

Great job, you're finished! Now you can hang up your artwork, gift it to someone, or keep making more! You could even try doing this project with flowers instead of leaves. Enjoy your amazing creation!