Preserve Leaves With Glycerin

Painting on leaves have been around for ages. Mainly in the Asian continent, though now you see less of it. It is a fun project and great to introduce children to the art of leaf painting.

To do leaf painting you need to first learn how to preserve leaves. There are many ways such as pressing leaves and drying it out, but I prefer this method as the leaf retains it's flexibility giving it a more natural appearance. Though the title says preserving leaves, you could also preserve plants this way.

For this you can even use fresh leaves or if you want to preserve leaves with branches then get your branches too.

Glycerin

water

Paint - Anything goes.

Mix 1 part glycerin and 2 part water. That means for 1 cup of glycerin you use 2 cups water :-). Soak your leaves in it. Make sure that every part is evenly coated. You can even use something heavy to hold it down. If you are using branches, fill a vase with the mixture and stick your fresh branches in it.

Check it during the next few days. make sure to move it around so that all the leaves are well coated with the mixture. Here it is after 6 days. The branches would take more days.

Check the leaves. See how the leaves are flexible and it has a soft sheen.

Place on tissue and clean off excess glycerin.

Your leaves are now well preserved and ready for anything you like, such as table decor, leaf painting and so on :-). Some people I know have their leaves for more than 10 years!

Here I have painted some leaves. I just used acrylic paint. You could also use house paint. I would not recommend water colors as it could wash off. My leaves are just the same after 1 year!

Hope you try it and show me what you come up with! And please don't forget to vote!!! :-) Thanks in advance.