Session 4: Sun Prints & Leaf Art
Session 4: Sun Prints & Leaf Art
“Paint with sunlight and turn leaves into art.”
In this session, kids use real leaves, flowers, and other found objects to create sun prints (cyanotypes) and simple leaf art. As they experiment with light and shadow on special photo-sensitive paper, they’ll learn how sunlight affects plants, what chlorophyll does, and how a naturalist might record plant shapes and structures through art.
1. Meet the Sun & Leaves (Science Warm-Up)
Short group chat:
What do plants need from the sun?
What is chlorophyll (in kid language: the green “plant helper” that drinks in sunlight)?
How does sunlight help plants make food (very simple intro to photosynthesis)?
Quick journal activity in their Outdoor Journal:
Draw a leaf and label: stem, veins, blade.
Color or note where the “green power” (chlorophyll) is.
2. Collect & Arrange – Nature as Stencils
Kids gently collect a small handful of leaves, flowers, or interesting shapes from the garden (with guidance on what’s okay to pick).
They experiment with arranging shapes on dry tables first:
Big vs. small leaves
Overlapping vs. spaced out
Optional: sketch their layout idea in their journal.
3. Make Sun Prints (Cyanotypes)
Using pre-prepared cyanotype/sun print paper, kids will:
Work in the shade to:
Place their leaves/objects on the paper.
Add a clear cover (if we’re using it) to hold things in place.
Move the paper out into the sun for exposure.
After the proper time, we’ll:
Rinse or develop the prints according to the materials we’re using.
Watch the colors shift as the image appears.
They’ll have time to make multiple prints and try different designs.
4. Leaf Rubbings & Mixed Media Art
While some prints are exposing or drying, kids will:
Use leaves under paper to make leaf rubbings with crayons or colored pencils.
Experiment with:
Different leaf shapes and vein patterns.
Layered colors or patterns.
Optional: combine sun prints + leaf rubbings in a mini “Nature Art” collage to glue into their journal.
5. Journal Reflection – Like a Naturalist
In their Outdoor Journal, kids will:
Tape or glue in at least one small sun print or a photocopy/mini version (if originals go home separately).
Write or dictate:
What objects they used.
What surprised them about the print.
Optional prompt:
“If you were a naturalist like Anna Atkins, what else would you want to record with sun prints?”
Science & Nature:
Leaves and chlorophyll help plants turn sunlight into energy.
Sunlight can create chemical changes on special paper.
Plant structure: leaf shape, veins, and how those help the plant.
Art & Design:
Using contrast (light vs. dark) to create images.
Playing with composition: placement, overlap, and negative space.
Combining different media (sun prints + rubbings + drawing).
Observation & Thinking Skills:
Looking closely at leaf details and edges.
Predicting how their arrangements will look when printed.
Comparing different prints and noticing cause/effect (more sun, different objects, etc.).
Social & Emotional Skills:
Patience while waiting for prints to develop.
Pride in creating unique artwork inspired by real scientific methods.
Sharing their work and observations with the group.
Each student will leave with:
Multiple sun prints on cyanotype paper.
Leaf rubbings or a small leaf art collage.
Journal pages with drawings, notes, and at least one record of their project.
Mess factor: Low to moderate – mostly paper, water for rinsing prints, and crayons/pencils.
Materials: All cyanotype paper, art supplies, and clipboards/boards are provided. We’ll guide kids on what’s okay to pick from the garden.
Sun Safety: We’ll keep kids in shade as much as possible and use short intervals in the sun for exposing prints.
At-home support: Your child may want to display their sun prints or continue making leaf art at home. A simple walk around your yard or local park can become a “leaf hunt” to notice shapes, sizes, and colors together.
Pricing & Registration
Each weekly session is $50 (+6.2% SD sales tax) and includes all materials. Weekly Wacky Wednesday open art lab sessions are also $50/ea+tax.