You can put dry leaves underneath a heavy book or other heavy flat object overnight to flatten them out before you paint them.
Get permission if you want to pick leaves from someone else’s property.
Make sure to leave space between the leaves and the edges of the newspapers, so that you avoid getting paint outside of the protected area.
Try mixing different colors to create interesting color patterns on your leaves. Acrylic paint will usually air dry in 20-30 minutes
Draw repeating patterns to create intricate designs on your leaves.
You can even spray paint small branches with the leaves still attached to create unique decorations. Try using gold or silver spray paint and then place the branches in a vase when the paint is dry. Spray paint should be dry to touch within 1-2 hours.
Big leaves like maple leaves work really well to make prints. If you aren’t sure what a plant is and you want to pick leaves from it, try looking for pictures of it on your phone to identify it and make sure it is safe to touch.
Leave space between the edges of the newspapers and the leaves so you don’t get paint on the unprotected parts of your work surface.
The backside of the leaf will make the best print because that is where the veins and details of the leaf are most pronounced. Experiment with different colors on one leaf to create multi-colored patterns.
You can use any kind of paper you want. Things like sketch paper, construction paper, and cardstock work well.
Don’t make the watercolor paint on your brush too watery, or it won’t transfer well to the leaf. Use just enough water so that the paint sticks to your brush. Press the leaf against your paper very firmly so that the veins make a good impression on the paper.
Try blending a bunch of different watercolors to create a unique looking print with a variety of leaf silhouettes. You can even try adding glitter around the edges of leaves or in the blank spaces on top of the paint to create additional effects.
