Turn Over a New Leaf

In this project, students combined and layered painting and printing techniques using fall leaves as the subject. Students chose an analogous color scheme to use for their piece (analogous colors are adjacent to one another on the color wheel, like yellows, greens and blues). The main goal of the project was to create a balanced composition, taking into account leaf shape and size, and placement of the leaves and colors. Students used these three techniques to create their pieces:
Rubbing: Students placed a leaf under the paper and used a crayon to firmly rub over it, causing the veins and details to appear. They made sure to fill the paper with overlapping shapes and colors. Leaf-Mask Stenciling: Leaves were placed on the previously rubbed paper smooth side down. Students loaded brushes with watercolor paint and brushed color out from the center of the leaf onto the paper. The wax from the crayon rubbing resisted the paint, allowing the rubbing to show through. When the leaf was removed, the negative space was left over in the shape of the leaf. Block Printing: Students used printmaking brayers to cover the back of leaves with block printing ink. Then they gently turned the inked leaf over and rubbed the back of it. When the leaf was lifted, a detailed positive print was left behind. The final pieces: