Handbook of Nature-Study · Lesson CLXXXIX · Topic 28: Tree study
189. How to make leaf prints
Goal: Your child makes clear, labeled leaf prints and starts a portfolio of the trees in the neighborhood.
You'll need
- Water-washable block-printing ink (in place of the book's printer's ink)
- Two small rubber rollers (brayers)
- A smooth baking sheet or plastic cutting board to roll ink on
- Smooth paper
- Fresh leaves from several trees
- Old newspapers and paper towels
What's in the book
This is a how-to lesson rather than an observation lesson. It lists the materials, explains how to ink a leaf and print both sides at once, and how to soften dry leaves.
The lesson, step by step
Why make prints?
Read the book's reason:
Although the process is mechanical, yet the fact that every print must be correctly labeled makes for useful knowledge.
A safety change
The book thins its ink with kerosene and cleans up with benzine, which can catch fire easily. We use water-washable printing ink (or thick poster paint) and clean up with soap and water instead.
Ink the leaf
To make a print, place a few drops of ink upon the glass or slate, and spread it about with the roller until there is a thin coat of ink upon the roller and a smooth patch in the center of the glass or slate.
Lay the leaf on the inky patch and roll over it until the veins are filled.
Print both sides at once
Put the inked leaf between two sheets of paper and roll once with the clean roller, pressing hard.
Two prints are made at each rolling, one of the upper, and one of the under side of the leaf.
Roll only once. The book warns that a second pass blurs the print.
Label every print
Write on each print the tree's name, the place, the date, and "upper side" or "under side." If you don't know the tree's name, write a description and look it up together later.
Dry leaves
If a leaf is dry and curled, soak it in water, blot it between paper towels, and then ink it, as the book suggests.
Nature notebook
Choose your two best prints and put them in the notebook. Ask your child which is clearer, the upper or the under side, and why. (The veins usually stand out more on the under side.)
Afterwards
Add a print each time you meet a new kind of tree. By next summer you will have a portfolio of the trees of your neighborhood.
Tip
Thin ink makes clear prints. If the veins blur, use less ink.