The making of The Leaf - Part 1

Thought I would give you an insight into the making of the leaf, the process behind the art so to speak. This was my weekend's work.

Step one : Drawing the shape or marking out the pattern to cut. I often trace around real leaves that fall off the tree in my garden or use other leaves I have already made.

I tend to do a few more than one at a time....

Step 2: Cutting them out on the ol' scroll saw. Far kinder on my back compared to the jigsaw I use to use.

Step 3: The Sander.... Thank god for power tools, I use to do them by hand!

Notice the gloves?...There's Nothing like catching your nail on an electric sander .... or the side of your finger, sending you into 10mins of agony on your knees at your kitchen sink, with you finger under running cold water, followed by another 15 mins lying on you back on the kitchen floor trying not to faint, you good hand gripped firmly around the finger lacking a few skin layers, hoping that if you squeezed it hard enough it would block of the pain. I hate it when that happens.

Hence the new work mantra of safety first esp around those things that can do the best damage.

Step 4: the Priming or undercoat.

​Its here that those all important brush strokes need to be carefully put on as they come through all of the pain layers still to come and play into the 3d effect depending on their curve, so it takes a little while, and patience. 

Both sides!

And finally voilà, 60 leaves ready to start painting. Not bad for a weekend's work.

Part 2 to follow "the painting of the leaf"