This is one of my favorite projects. Try it in the spring with dandelions, violets, and azaleas. Summer blooms like petunias, vinca, or zinnia petals work well. Think of the leaf colors you can make in the fall! And the interesting shapes of evergreen trimmings make this project a year-round possibility.
You need:
water color paper
flowers/leaves
paper towel
mallet
It’s already beautiful, isn’t it? Let’s get started!
First, place the flower on the paper. Then cover the flower and hold it in place with the paper towel. The next step is to pound it all over with the mallet. I “co-hammer” with my kids, where their hand is on top of mine to guide the work. The paper towel holding is an adult job, and be sure to watch out for your fingers! When you are finished, you will be able to peel the flower off of the water color paper, leaving behind a lovely flower stamp. Since the water color paper really absorbs color well, some subjects leave behind very well-defined and truly lovely prints! You can also transfer color onto construction paper using the same method, but the results aren’t as crisp. Experiment with it. What shapes work best? Are there some flowers that change color when they are transferred?
For younger children, this activity is all about the process. Older children might want to create an artistic product. Be sure to revisit it over time and see how your child changes their interpretation of the work.
Did you try it? Did it work? Leave a comment! xo