Monstera leaves
I love plants, but I don't exactly have the greenest thumb. I'm working on it, though. I have some succulents that somehow just won't die despite my many attempts to kill them with neglect. But succulents and California go hand in hand. I was recently in Guatemala and I was so taken with how tropical everything was, and of course in my post-vacation high, I decided I needed to bring those tropics home with me. But until I feel I'm properly ready for indoor jungle husbandry, I figured I'd start with some plants that only need to be watered once.
Scroll down for step-by-step instructions and a template.
Watercolor Monstera Leaves
Download and print the template.
Use the template to transfer the leaves onto sturdy watercolor paper (I used 140gsm).*
Paint the leaves, using the dotted lines on the template as a guide for the veins of the leaves.
Once the front is dry, turn the paper over and paint in the back. You can use any buckling as a guide, or paint the entire back. You don't need to be neat for this part.
Once the back is dry, turn the paper back over and cut out the front with scissors or a craft knife. Don't forget to cut out the little holes!
Score the stem lengthwise and fold along the stem so that the front of the leaf is on the outside.
Using an Inside Reverse Fold, fold the leaf down at an angle. I used about a 45° angle, but feel free to experiment.
* You can do transfer the image a couple of ways:
Cut along the solid lines to make stencils, then trace the leaves onto the watercolor paper.
ORDraw over the lines pressing hard with a soft pencil, then put the drawing face down on the watercolor paper and rub the back with something hard and smooth (the side of the pencil works), transferring your pencil marks to the watercolor paper.
Let me know if you make some. I'd love to see them!