discussion Cheap and Easy Weeds

[Andy Belsey]

I've been looking at quick and easy ways of creating plant leaves. I came up with the idea of using the discs created with a paper hole punch. I lightly tacked them onto a spray stick with double-sided tape and speckled them green. I used celulose paint here at work, which dries quickly. I didn't want a solid colour.
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Having sprayed one side, I flipped them over and speckled the other side.
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I then sliced them in half with a scalpel and folded a crease along the rough centre to make a spine from one of the pointed ends. Some went one side, some the other.
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Having made lots of leaves, I then put a blob of PVA on a nylon type surface that I knew the glue wouln't adhere to. I stuck of 4 leaves and then a second group of 4 - 8 leaves in total.
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I fiddled with the bundles a little so that they sat together and gradually made quite a number of plants. Once semi-dry, I flicked them off the shiny surface and left them on their backs to dry.

I hope this inspires you to have a go. It's very easy and costs nothing.
Andy

 

[Si Benson]

Hi Andy,
Your posting has come at the exact right time, I’m just starting to add vegetation to a diorama and I’m playing about with paper leaves to make ivy.....this is very helpful, cheers:smiling4:
Si

 

[Mickc1440]

Nice one Andy, those punched circles also make great leaves for pond lilies if you cut a small notch out of them.

 

[Jim R]

Hi Andy
Such a clever and simple idea - thanks.
Jim

 

[Guest]

Brilliant idea Andy, thanks for sharing.

 

[papa 695]

Great idea Andrew

 

[Guest]

Agree with the gang, thanks Andy.
J

 

[Fernando N]

Great idea Andy, thanks for sharing.:thumb2:

 

[Steve Jones]

Nice work Andy. Do you think it would work as well with plastic discs from a leather hole punch? Might be worth a try. Thanks for sharing

 

[Andy Belsey]

Nice work Andy. Do you think it would work as well with plastic discs from a leather hole punch? Might be worth a try. Thanks for sharing

Steve, I would stick to paper as it is more translucent, therefore more natural looking, and will be easier to bend the folds in. Plastic will be more rigid and harder to work with.
Andy