Watercolor Nature Prints

Follow this fast and easy tutorial from Tracie Lyn Huskamp to print a plant or leaf silhouette. Use multiple colors for your watercolor silhouettes. 

Materials:

• Light-colored, absorbent paper
• Fresh plant or leaf
• Paintbrush
• Watercolors

Instructions:

1. Start by selecting a piece of light colored, absorbent paper, such as watercolor paper or even some handmade papers.
2. Because only the outer edge will be seen, choose a fresh plant or a leaf with an interesting shape.
3. Carefully towel dry the plant to remove surface moisture and dirt.
4. Tuck the specimen between two sheets of plain newsprint paper and place it under a heavy book. Press for 30 minutes to flatten it as much as possible.
5. Using water, a paintbrush, and watercolors, create a mixture of water and paint (known as a wash) on the palette.
6. Holding the plant or leaf steady on the absorbent paper, begin applying a light wash of more paint than water to the paper, making sure to paint past the edges of the botanical.
7. Avoid applying too much paint at once - you don't want the colors to bleed under the edges of the plant or leaf. Sweeping strokes across the entire leaf work best.
8. Allow the leaf to dry thoroughly, then apply another wash to intensify the color.
9. Continue the drying and painting process until a satisfactory amount of color is showing on the page.