Handmade, eco-friendly art stencils

Today’s #tinkersketch sketchbook challenge was “stencil.” Instead of using one of those plastic store bought stencils, I decided to make my own handmade, eco-friendly, nature loving stencils! Using real leaves! I thought I’d share my process with you as it may be a fun activity to do with your (older) kids during this spring or summer break.

Supplies:

• a few leaves
• a piece of cardboard or cutting board
• a sharp exacto knife
• paint
• blank paper
• sponge stencil brush

1. Pick a few waxy, sturdy leaves.  I picked some leaves from a laurel bush.
2. Place them on the cardboard or cutting board.
3. Cut a simple shape into the leaf with the exacto knife.
4. You can now use both the inside shape as well as the leaf with the cut out shape as an art stencil, blotting colorful paint with a sponge stencil brush to your heart’s content! 

Have fun! And please share your thoughts, tips and experiences with this art activity!

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