Leaf Prints Tree
Make a beautiful paper tree decorated with leaves made with leaf prints.
Featured Crafts
Supplies Needed
- Real leaves
- Large white construction paper (e.g. 18" x 24")
- Brown kraft paper or construction paper (e.g. 12" x 18")
- Tempera or poster paint
- Paint brushes
- Glue
- Scissors
STEPS
1Collect leaves.
Collect some small to medium-sized leaves. Both fresh and fallen leaves will work for this craft.
2Make a tree trunk.
Draw and cut out a tree trunk on brown kraft paper or construction paper. Approximate the size of the trunk with the size of your background paper.
Another option is to draw a tree trunk directly on your background paper. Color or paint inside the tree trunk. If you choose this option, proceed to Step 8.
3Crumple up the tree trunk.
Steps 3 to 6 will give your tree trunk a textured bark look. They are optional and can only be done if you used kraft paper or lightweight construction paper to make your tree trunk.
Start off by gently crumpling the tree trunk into a ball.
4Uncrumple the tree trunk.
Carefully uncrumple the tree trunk. Lay it on a flat surface and gently run your hand over the trunk and branches to flatten them out.
5Paint the tree trunk.
Add just a bit of water to brown tempera or poster paint and mix. Dip the tip of a dry paint brush onto the paint. Run the paint brush across a portion of the tree trunk. The crumpled surface will absorb the paint unevenly, giving it the appearance of a tree bark.
6Let the painted tree trunk dry.
Continue painting the tree tree trunk until you're happy with how it looks. Let the painted tree trunk dry.
7Glue the tree trunk.
Glue the tree trunk onto your background paper. Align the trunk's bottom edge with those of the paper's. Trim the tips of the branches that go over the paper's edges.
8Prepare the paint for the leaves.
Prepare two or more shades of green paint for the leaves. You can achieve this by adding a tinge of yellow or blue to green paint. Adding a bit of white or black can lighten or darken the colors. Add some water to the paint and mix well.
For an autumn or fall tree, prepare paint in shades of red, yellow, orange and brown.
9Paint a leaf.
Position a leaf bottom side up. You'll notice how the leaf's veins are raised on this side. Paint the entire surface of the leaf.
10Press the leaf onto the paper.
Place the leaf on the paper—painted side down and close to a tree branch. Press firmly on the leaf to transfer the paint onto the paper.
11Remove the leaf.
Carefully lift the leaf off the paper to reveal a colored leaf print.
12Make more leaf prints.
Continue making leaf prints around the tree's branches. Overlapping leaf prints, especially those of different shades of color, will look nice.
13Let the paint dry.
After you've filled your tree with leaf prints, set your picture aside to dry.
Your picture would make a terrific poster for spring, fall, Arbor day, or Earth day.
More Ideas
Make a handprint tree trunk.
Instead of making a paper tree trunk, trace the outline of your forearm and hand onto the background paper and color inside the outline with brown crayon.
Create a magical tree.
Inspired by a favorite book or movie, you can create a magical or fantasy-inspired tree using color palettes like pastels, bright colors, or even metallic hues.
