Do-it-yourself leaf skeletonization at home. Natural decor from skeletonized leaves. Ideas and master class Leaf skeletons and their applications

Skeletonization of leaves is a very long and labor-intensive, but addictive and interesting process. Due to exposure to water, air and chemicals the pulp moves away from the leaf, leaving only a delicate, openwork outline in the form of a leaf. Let's look at how you can skeletonize leaves at home.

Skeletonization methods

Only freshly picked leaves are suitable for skeletonization; you should not delay the procedure for several hours, because if the leaf is limp, the desired effect may not be achieved. If it’s winter, then you can use a pre-prepared herbarium, since a skeletonized leaf can also be created from a dry blank.

Having selected the leaves, you need to choose the skeletonization method. Currently, there are several methods for obtaining an openwork mesh sheet:

Mechanical or dry method;
Soaking in water;
Wet method;
Chemical method.

Let's look at each of them in more detail in the master class.

Dry method

We use this method if we need to make one or two leaves. Of course, more workpieces can be processed in this way, but it will take huge amount time, since one sheet will take 15-20 minutes.

We only need a brush to beat out the pulp. Please pay attention to the bristles; you can only use brushes with natural bristles. The tougher the better.

We place the leaf in front of us and begin to beat it with a brush. This way we will separate the pulp from the veins, leaving only the frame we need.

This method can also be used for dried leaves, but the result will be an openwork leaf rather than a stringy one.

Soaking in water

This method is used to skeletonize leaves in nature. Pour water into a jar and place a leaf in it. Close the lid and leave it in this state for a month. Watching the process carefully, because perhaps the process will happen earlier.

When the top layer of the leaf comes off, take out the leaf and wash it under running water from the mucus formed. Carefully remove the pulp with your hands or thin brushes of medium hardness.

You will get beautiful blanks. All that remains is to dry it in a dry place for two days. This method produces beautifully, for example, ficus leaves.

Wet method

The wet method is used when it is necessary to create many leaves at the same time. Place the leaves in a pan of water and cover them with soda, one teaspoon per liter of water. Fill with water and put on fire, cook the leaves for about half an hour.

After this, carefully remove the leaves one by one, place them on paper napkins and remove the pulp using a brush or sponge. We act very carefully. If there is excess moisture, remove it with a napkin. We remove only one leaf at a time from the solution.

To align the resulting leaves, place them under a press. If you wish, you can color the resulting leaves using food coloring.

Chemical method

The chemical method is similar to the wet method, but the leaves do not need to be boiled in it.

Soak the leaves in white with water in a 1:1 ratio. When the leaves lose their pulp and turn white, they can be pulled out. To align the resulting leaves, place them under a press.

The result largely depends on the hardness and thickness of the leaf taken. The best skeletons are poplar, linden, oak, birch, aspen and ficus leaves.

Skeletons can be painted at several stages of production:

In the process of separating the pulp using bleach and potassium permanganate;
When the leaf is dry, use watercolors, gouache, food coloring or spray cans.

The finished product is varnished. We decorate as you please: with sparkles, rhinestones, beads and much more.

What are they used for?

Skeletonization of leaves is only the first point. Then, with their help, you can create beautiful crafts with your own hands. Let's look at some of the most famous techniques using these leaves.

One of these areas is the creation of paintings from leaves. To do this, take a ready-made background, draw branches or various patterns on it and glue skeletonized leaves. This way you get magical pictures.

Also, such leaves themselves can be a canvas for drawings and artistic carvings.

Another area is texturing, in which leaves are used to add texture to other materials. An example of such work is in the photo below:

The best thing is pressing such leaves into paper using a press, this way you can create the most beautiful photo wallpaper.

Leaf skeletons are also used for decoration in various techniques, for example, decoupage, scrapbooking. They are also used in jewelry.

Skeletonized leaves are those leaves from which only veins remain. Soft fabrics leaves (scientifically “epidermis”) are removed in various ways, and what remains is the so-called “skeleton” - an openwork mesh of veins.

Skeleton leaves can easily be purchased at a flower salon, florist shop, decor store... You can also order it in an online store. It's fast, simple, convenient. Another plus is that the store sells skeletons of trees that do not grow in our area. For example:

Leaves of ficus religiosa or tree Bo, Bodhi, Banyan; peepal (Peepal or Pippal):
Leaves of the rubber tree or Hevea brasiliensis:
Magnolia leaves:
mango leaves (Mangifera indica):

However, buying leaves in a store is not always possible and not for everyone. And the choice is limited to only two or three types. It's much more fun to make skeletons yourself!

There are a lot of articles on the Internet on the topic of skeletonizing leaves, but alas, all these articles are essentially just reprints of the same foreign master class. And not the best. Why not the best?

Firstly, boiling the leaves in washing soda is mentioned everywhere - not the best option, since not everyone can find this powder in their city. I didn’t find it either, although I searched for a very long time.
Secondly, the effect of this soda is very doubtful. Readers of the site often write to me and tell me that they can’t do anything with soda!
Some people try to use baking soda instead of washing soda, but it has no effect. Yes, some leaves may become skeletonized after cooking, but here even just boiling in hot water without any additives - for soft, loose leaves, such as chestnut, this is enough.
It’s generally funny to talk about soaking in green tea – it’s complete nonsense.
Thirdly, there are means that are much more effective and affordable.

So how do you actually skeletonize leaves effectively?

There are several ways:

Dry
Wet
Natural

Dry method

The dry method is good when you urgently need one or two skeletonized leaves. You will be tortured to do more, since one sheet takes about 15-20 minutes of vigorous action.

The method seems simple - take a brush and beat a leaf with it. But! Having bought a special brush with a comfortable handle and worked with this brush on a leaf for about ten minutes, I was very upset - nothing worked for me! And all because the bristles on the brush were made of synthetics, and also not hard enough.

So remember - the brush should only be made of natural bristles, the bristles should not be too long. Please note - the stiffer the bristles, the better! You can buy such a brush at the market or at a hardware store; they are usually intended for cleaning clothes or shoes. By the way, you can attach a long handle yourself.

We take very fresh leaves, without spots or holes, lay them out on a piece of newspaper and hit them with a brush. You will break the soft tissues of the leaf, only the veins or skeleton of the leaf will remain! The method is ideal for leaves of maple, sycamore, ficus Benjamin, poplar, ivy, etc.

You can also take press-dried leaves. In this case, you will not get a skeletonized leaf, but simply an openwork one - also interesting option. And here the brush may not be very hard.

Natural skeletonization method

The leaves are remarkably skeletonized in a natural way - that is, nature itself creates such leaves, you just need to notice them in time and pick them up.

How does this happen? And this is how the leaves get wet in the rain, under the snow, lie on the damp ground, they are trampled under heels, and so they naturally turn into a net. I usually collect these leaves when the snow melts. Also, the leaves can be “eaten” by some insects:

In order not to rely on nature and not wait for a suitable leaf to come across, we arrange natural skeletonization of the house. Pour plain water into a jar and put the leaves in it. Close the lid and leave it alone for about a month. As a rule, a month is enough, but sometimes even less time is needed. Then we take out the leaves and watch how the leaf pulp comes off. If the leaf has softened enough, rinse it under running water with three fingers to remove all the mucus.

I experimented with a Benjamin Dunetti ficus leaf that had been in water for a month. After that, it exfoliated, and I simply removed the film from it, which covers the sheet on both sides. The result was a very soft and delicate skeletonized leaf (although initially the ficus leaves were very hard). The structure resembles that of a dragonfly wing, right?

This is also a great way to skeletonize physalis. These are bright orange lanterns on a branch; florists love to use them to make bouquets of dried flowers.

In principle, the lanterns become skeletonized on their own, naturally on the bush (from rain and snow) - you just need to not miss the moment and collect them in time before they rot. Or you can also put them in water and after a couple of weeks get ready-made “skeletons”.

You can also see how I skeletonized the leaves using this method.

Wet method

If you need a lot of leaves, it is most effective to skeletonize them using the wet method. Fill the leaves with water and add “Mole” powder (pipe cleaner). In general, any aggressive household chemicals. There is a lot on the Internet. You can take soda, of course, but I don’t guarantee the result.

So, throw two or three tablespoons of powder into water and cook the leaves for several hours. An hour is enough for maple leaves, two to three hours for sycamore leaves (and other hard leaves). Moreover, the smaller the sycamore leaf, the longer it needs to be cooked.

Next, take out the leaves and wash them in a bowl of water. Use three fingers to remove the pulp. Rubber gloves with pimples also help. If the pulp does not come off, cook it some more. Hard leaves need to be brushed with a toothbrush wooden board. At the same time toothbrush constantly moisten it in water. See more about this method

Leaves for decoration. Photo

Skeletonized leaves are excellent material for scrapbooking and making cards, and you can also use them to create unusual flowers for decoration.

Leaves of maple, oak, laurel, poplar, ivy, and magnolia are perfect for skeletonization. For this procedure, it is advisable to choose hard leaves. Below is the fastest and easiest way to make skeletonized leaves.

To skeletonize leaves you will need:

Leaves (choose tougher ones)

About 10 teaspoons of soda

Liter cold water

Brush (toothbrush, dish sponge)

Skeletonization of leaves step by step:

Collect fresh leaves that are tougher to the touch.

Dissolve about ten to twelve teaspoons of soda in one liter of cold water.

Heat the resulting solution over fire. When it boils, you need to place the leaves in it and cook them for 20-30 minutes. If necessary, you can add water if the solution begins to boil away.

After that, the boiled leaves need to be rinsed in cold water.

After which the leaves need to be washed again in cold water.

Finally, blot the leaves with a napkin and place under a press for 1-3 days. You can place them between books.

Skeletonized leaves can be colored with food coloring if desired.

Tip: to lighten a leaf, you need to immerse it in bleach for a couple of minutes, it will acquire a light yellowish tint. Next, you can paint the leaf with watercolors in the desired color.

Well, then, as your imagination dictates, in the sense of using the resulting product for creativity. Such leaves can be used in scrapbooking, decorating postcards and more. Happy creativity!

The passion for applied art is becoming more and more powerful and is capturing more and more creative people. Many of them find a pleasant and useful relaxation in needlework, and some even turn it into work. One way or another, today we can already see not just examples of homemade products from textbooks for labor lessons, but examples of real craftsmanship. And it includes many different, sometimes very complex, techniques that require special skill. How large quantity The master masters the skills perfectly - the more opportunities open to him, the more he is capable of in a fit of inspiration. And one of the main sources of this inspiration has always been and remains nature.

Natural materials are an inexhaustible source of ideas for fans of the most different types handicrafts. They inspire masters of appliqué and scrapbooking, florists and designers, creators of interior accessories and jewelry. Each of them more than once brought summer green or colorful autumn leaves to subject them to further processing and transformation. Skeletonization occupies one of the first places among such techniques. It allows you to create amazing designs and details for paintings, albums, furniture and independent works.

Why do leaves skeletonize?
Skeleton leaves are perfect for creating exclusive cards, decorative covers and dried bouquets. They can be placed in mats and baguettes to decorate the walls of the room, or glued to another base, and then combined with each other and with other materials. In short, their use is possible in any case that your artistic imagination suggests.

Essentially, skeletonization is the drying and processing of leaves in such a way as to reveal the entire structure of their structure, veins and small vessels through which the juice flows, that is, the “skeleton,” hence the name. Accordingly, the more beautiful the leaf was initially, the more interesting it will become after skeletonization. It doesn’t matter what tree or shrub it grew on, the main thing is that its structure fascinates and makes you look closely at the interweaving of fine lines. Most often, maple, oak, laurel, as well as magnolia and ivy leaves have these data. They are quite dense and tolerate processing well, but you still need to choose only whole, healthy and undamaged specimens.

Methods for skeletonizing leaves
Today, applied art has reached such a development that industrial manufacturers offer craftsmen ready materials and components for their works. But real architecture requires a different approach: only hand-created details can create a truly exclusive result. Therefore, we suggest you skeletonize the leaves with your own hands. This will allow you to choose those that best embody your creative idea and convey it expressively to the audience. To do this, choose any of the two methods or use both alternately:

Skeletonizing leaves using baking soda. Take hard leaves (green or yellowed), ordinary household soda, clean water. We do not specifically indicate the volumes of substances, because the number and shape of the leaves will determine how much you need. Also, equip yourself with a saucepan and a toothbrush or flexible paint brush.
Make a saturated solution of soda in water - by eye, but not less than 10-15 tablespoons per liter. Pour into a saucepan and put on fire. Bring to a boil and when soda solution boils, carefully lower the leaves into it. Reduce the heat, but maintain the boiling process. Let it continue with the leaves for another 20-30 minutes. Make sure that each leaf is covered with water, and add more as it boils. Then remove the leaves and rinse gently with clean water.
Now take out the boiled leaves one by one and place them on a napkin laid on the table or cutting board. Using a brush, carefully scrape off the green pulp, which has become loose and pliable. Some craftsmen use a foam sponge for washing dishes for this purpose. We advise you to have several different tools on hand (brush, sponge, brush) and use them depending on the characteristics of each sheet.
After the structure of the leaves is sufficiently exposed, they need to be washed again and blotted with a soft cloth. After this, place it under a special press or between the pages of a thick book. This stage will last 2-3 days and, in general, resembles the preparation of a herbarium.
Skeletonization of leaves using tea. In addition to a few fresh leaves, you will need dry loose leaf green tea and all the same other components and tools that are described in the first paragraph. None special requirements Not for tea, so for such technical purposes you can take the most inexpensive pack. Unless the jasmine scent and other fillers are out of place, unless you decide to drink a cup while the leaves are boiling.
Brew strong tea and pour into a saucepan. Dip the leaves into it and leave for half an hour to an hour. When the leaves are soaked, transfer the pan to the stove, add a tablespoon of soda to the tea and bring to a boil. Cook for about 20 minutes, then drain the liquid and pour the leaves again with strong green tea. Immediately after this, you can take them out and scrape off the excess pulp. Unlike “soda” technology, tea affects the leaves more gently and sparingly. On the one hand, this helps not to damage their base. On the other hand, not all dense leaves can be skeletonized using tea.

Don't be upset if you tear the paper a little during the cleaning process. Try to transfer it under the press as carefully as possible, and when it dries in this position, the damage will not be noticeable.

Refinement of skeletonized leaves
After the days that the leaves that have undergone the skeletonization procedure are under pressure, they can be used for any creative purposes. But without additional processing, they usually don’t look very interesting. You can make them more attractive in one of the following ways:

Dip the skeletonized leaf into the bleach solution for a couple of minutes. Then paint its lightened surface with watercolor paint. You can add color using food coloring, gouache, etc.
The dried skeletonized leaf can be painted with spray paint from a can. Leaves painted gold or silver are especially beautiful. You can use the paint separately or arrange it in a gradient.

Perhaps your imagination will tell you to use paint with a holographic effect or other creative ideas. After all, skeletonized leaves are only the basis, source material to create exquisite and original decorative items.

Skeleton maple leaves

Skeletonized leaves are those leaves from which only veins remain. The soft tissues of the leaf (scientifically “epidermis”) are removed in various ways, and what remains is the so-called “skeleton” - an openwork mesh of veins.

Different types of venation

Skeleton leaves can easily be bought in a flower salon, a florist shop, a decor store... You can also order it in a store. It's fast, simple, convenient. Another plus is that the store sells skeletons of trees that do not grow in our area. For example:

Leaves of ficus religiosa or tree Bo, Bodhi, Banyan; peepal (Peepal or Pippal):

Ficus religiosa

Skeletonized ficus leaf ((Ficus religiosa)

Leaves of the rubber tree or Hevea brasiliensis:

Rubber tree (Hevea)

Rubber tree leaf

Magnolia leaves:

Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana L.)

Magnolia (Magnolia_acuminata)

Magnolia (Magnolia_acuminata) Mango leaves (Mangifera indica):

Mango (Mangifera L.)

However, buying leaves in a store is not always possible and not for everyone. And the choice is limited to only two or three types. It's much more fun to make skeletons yourself!

Firstly, boiling the leaves in washing soda is mentioned everywhere - not the best option, since not everyone can find this powder in their city. I didn’t find it either, although I searched for a very long time.
Secondly, this soda works on very few leaves. Some of our craftsmen use baking soda instead of washing soda, but it works even worse, if not to say that it does not work at all. Yes, some leaves become skeletonized, but even just boiling in hot water without any additives is enough - for soft, loose leaves, such as maple, this is enough. It’s generally funny to talk about soaking in green tea – it’s complete nonsense.
Thirdly, there are means that are much more effective and affordable.

So how do you actually skeletonize leaves effectively?

There are several ways:

Dry
Wet
Natural
Chemical

Dry method

The dry method is good when you urgently need one or two skeletonized leaves. You will be tortured to do more, since one sheet takes about 15-20 minutes of vigorous action.

Skeletonized sycamore leaf

You can also take press-dried leaves. In this case, you will not get a skeletonized leaf, but simply an openwork one - also an interesting option. And here the brush may not be very hard.

Skeletonization of leaves

Skeleton leaves

Natural skeletonization method

The leaves are remarkably skeletonized in a natural way - that is, nature itself creates such leaves, you just need to notice them in time and pick them up.

Skeleton leaves

This is also a great way to skeletonize physalis. These are bright orange lanterns on a branch; florists love to use them to make bouquets of dried flowers.

Wet method

If you need a lot of leaves, it is most effective to skeletonize them using the wet method. Fill the leaves with water and add “Mole” powder (pipe cleaner). In general, any aggressive household chemical will do. You can use soda, of course, but I don’t guarantee the result.

Next, take out the leaves and wash them in a bowl of water. Use three fingers to remove the pulp. Rubber gloves with pimples also help. If the pulp does not come off, cook it some more. Tough leaves need to be brushed with a toothbrush on a wooden board. At the same time, constantly moisten the toothbrush in water.

Which leaves are good at skeletonization? These are, first of all, maple and sycamore leaves. Poplar leaves (black or silver), birch, linden, aspen, oak, blueberry, walnut, alder, and ficus leaves are excellent.

Skeleton leaves of black poplar

Skeletonized linden leaf

Skeletonized sycamore leaf

Skeletonized silver poplar leaf

Chestnut leaves are very delicate, but they can also be skeletonized. You just need to straighten them directly in the water, and then take them out already straightened, prying them with a saucer or a wooden spatula.

After descaling, I leave the leaves to air dry. And then I just iron it with a warm iron. You can immediately put it under a press, or immediately iron the wet leaves with an iron - it’s whatever you want. You won't be able to move very flimsy leaves - you'll tear them or crush them. Let them dry first in a straightened form - the same way you took them out of the water, and then transfer them wherever you want.

Chemical method

The chemical method is actually also wet. But here you don’t cook or boil anything. Just pour bleach ("Bleach" is fine) and half-and-half water on the leaves and wait. When they turn white, take them out and wash them. The result is a white transparent leaf. You can also beat it with a brush. Or you can skeletonize the leaves by boiling them and then bleach them - it will turn out like the finest white lace - very beautiful.

Well, now the most main question- Why exactly did we do all this? Why are they needed, these skeletonized leaves?

First of all, such leaves are beautiful in themselves. And very unusual. An openwork web of veins, a transparent sheet, soft, as if made of fabric... Of course, such a creation of nature will undoubtedly attract the attention of a person with artistic taste.

For example, artist Irina Ivi covers skeletonized leaves with gold or silver paint, then collects them into a composition in the form of a branch and seals them between two glasses. The result is a very unusual transparent picture, in the depths of which weightless leaves mysteriously flicker...

You can make interior dishes from lacy, openwork leaves! Artist Kay Sekimachi was so impressed by the beauty of the skeletonized leaves that she decided to create simple, yet very effective bowls and vases from them. And the fact that all these vases for a thousand dollars (!) have already been sold out clearly indicates that the audience appreciated the natural beauty of the skeletons:

You can also draw on skeletonized leaves! IN Ancient India paper has always been expensive, but leaves grew everywhere and were completely free. So the masters came up with the idea of using foliage instead of paper. The leaves were processed by soaking them in water for a long time (wet method). It turned out interesting material, thin, but at the same time durable. The skeletons were then painted and sold.

And here’s how modern Kochetova Nadezhda draws:

Kochetova Nadezhda “Red-haired beauty”

Kochetova Nadezhda “Jay”

Kochetova Nadezhda “Song”

Kochetova Nadezhda "Barn Owl"

What is there to draw! You can make feather appliqués on the leaves:

You can make miniature applications from straws:

You can even print photos!

Do you think that's all? It would seem, how else is it possible to create paintings on leaves, and even skeletal ones? Are there really any other options? Strange as it may seem, but there is! It turns out that on ordinary leaves You can create images by partially skeletonizing them! The way they do it in China: sycamore leaves (there they are called “plane tree”) are boiled in a special solution, and then the leaves are removed with a knife down to the veins according to the sketch.

Leaf Carving Art

You can also embroider on skeletonized leaves! Look what a tender spring picture it turns out to be:

You can use them in patchwork or quilt (patchwork) as one of the elements of a complex background:

Gisele Blythe "Remains of Autumn"

Deborah Gregory "January"

You can also use skeletons in felting - decorate them with wool surfaces - felted scarves, dresses, hats, bags... For example, as Lyubov Voronina from the city of Ivanovo does:

Lyubov Voronina

Eco-friendly wallpaper with unique decor is made from skeletonized leaves. After all, each leaf is unique in itself!

They also make decorative paper:

Skeletons are used to decorate postcards, albums (scrapbooking), passport covers, etc.:

Present self made(Catherine)

IrinaSH@ (irochka84) “Envelope for money”

Evgeniya (kjane) “Eco-postcard”

Marina Fazylova (m-tomcat) “Passport Cover”

They decorate the interior, wedding bouquets, napkins:

Wedding bouquet

Love (luba-pol) Wedding bouquet “Airy mood”

Festive napkin

Skeleton leaves are great for decoupage of vases, cups, boxes, clocks, etc.:

TARI (tari-elkiotter) Cup with skeletons

N@stenk@ Vase “Leaves in Ice”

Elena Efremova (zzorik.ru) Cup with skeletons

Olga Koshkina (xsanf) Salad bowl “Physalis”

Zuli Watch “Breath of Autumn”

Murashka (Smile your home) Wall clock and napkin holder

Oksana Mineeva (Kseniya) Watch “Hedgehog in the Fog”

Oksana Mineeva (Kseniya) Decorative plate"Hedgehogs"

For decoupage or felting lamps:

Skeleton vase

Wool style “Lampshade made of skeletons”

Skeleton night light

Lampshades with skeletons

Mironova Inna (multi-color) Lamp “Autumn Forest”

Lamps with skeletons

In addition, they create jewelry in various ways.

For example, skeletons are poured epoxy resin- you get earrings, rings, necklaces...

DarKera Necklace “Leaves of the Magic Tree”

"Pendant with skeleton"

NATURE IN A DROP (smolka-uvelira)

Anastasia Arinovich (bisenkan) Pendant “Ice leaf”

Creative workshop “Mastyushka” Pendant “Autumn leaf”

NATURE IN A DROP (smolka-uvelira) Rings

Anastasia Arinovich (bisenkan) Earrings

Or they plate the skeletonized sheet with gold, silver or copper, creating a metallic patina in a rainbow of colors. The resulting pendants are amazing and unique in their beauty...

Katya Design Jewelry

Leonova Marina Leaf fall “Pomegranates”

Handmade by AlekSanta

Leonova Marina Leaf fall “Cat's eye and amethyst”

And of course, skeletonized leaves are used by floral artists!