I’ve made leaves from scratch in the past, but this time I am using a different approach. I bought two packets of pre-cut maple leaves in brown paper. These are by Marcy Jaffe, but I bought them from a secondary seller on eBay. I decided to make up one packet, which includes two sheets, to start.
The instructions tell you to stipple on paint to add depth, so I used Calico Red by Americana, making several passes with lightly added paint.
I added Camel to the red for the reverse side to make the backs of the leaves pale pink.
I colored each stem while the leaves were still on the frame using thinned brown paint.
I then cut the leaves from the frame. I think this is the right amount for the small lawn around the barn, so I will keep the second packet in my stash.
I began shaping them with a stylus, adding veins as well. I like to use magazines or catalogs since they are just soft enough to allow for good veining and they can transfer some ink onto the backs of the leaves. That little pop of color helps define the leaves more. And, then I can just recycle the magazine once I’m done.
I haven’t officially decided that this will be an autumn landscape, but in mini-land you can have autumn leaves and blooming flowers all at the same time. I just think it will be nice to have some color on the scene.
And, no, I don’t have plans to build another maple tree at this moment.
