Leaves
Session 1 - Leaves
We are learning to:
notice the details of leaves
make images of leaves in a nature journal
I will know I'm successful if:
I can notice similarities and differences in leaves
I can make leaf rubbings
I can draw a detailed leaf
Leaf rubbings
Materials (what you need):
leaves!
pencils or crayons or both (pencils show up more detail)
paper (thin paper is better; don't use thick, expensive paper)
a hard surface (a single piece of paper on a hard table works best)
black pen
rubber
How to do a leaf rubbing
Choose your leaf
Feel the leaf with your fingers. Which side is bumpiest?
Put the bumpy side facing up.
Put your paper over the leaf.
Feel where your leaf starts under the paper with your fingers and then hold the paper next to it so it won’t move around.
Hold your pencil on its side so it is lying down enough to make the wood of the pencil touch the paper (if you are using a crayon, turn the crayon on its side).
Colour side to side over the leaf.
Change direction and colour up and down the leaf.
If you don't get much detail, try colouring a bit harder (but not too hard!). Try different pencils. Try sharp pencils and dull pencils.
Leaf rubbings take practice so if you aren't happy with your first one, don't give up, just try a different leaf. Some work better than others.
Extra activities
Try using two colours! Do a rubbing with one colour and then use another over the top. Be careful not to move the leaf.
Trace over the lines in your leaf rubbing with a black pen. Look at your leaf and add details, e.g. spots. If you like you can rub out the pencil underneath and make it look like you drew it from scratch!
Why not try a foil leaf rubbing?
Go to the kitchen and get some aluminium foil.
Put your leaf on the table, bumpy side up.
Put the foil over the leaf.
Using your finger, rub the foil over your leaf. Go over it a few times and press hard as you rub.
Admire your magical, silver leaf rubbings.
When you are finished with your leaf rubbings, don't waste your leaves. Use your imagination and see what animals you can turn them into!
Drawing a leaf
Leaf and flower pressing
You can save leaves and flowers by pressing them. Maybe you have your own flower press? If not, it is easy to press leaves and flowers without one. All you need is:
some leaves, plants or flowers you'd like to save
some paper towel, toilet paper or tissues
a large heavy book, e.g. a dictionary (ask your parent/carer which one is ok to use!)
Place your leaf, flower or plant between pieces of tissue, toilet paper or paper towel.
Place in between pages of a large, heavy book.
Check after one week!