Monday, October 21, 2013

How To Make a Fall Leaf Triptych

Do you need some fall art?  How about a leaf triptych?
fall leaf reclaimed wood art http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2013/10/how-to-make-fall-leaf-triptych.html
What is a triptych?  

triptych (/ˈtrɪptɪk/ trip-tik; (from the Greek adjective τρίπτυχοs ("three-fold"), from tri-= "three" + ptysso= "to fold") is a work of art (usually a panel painting) that is divided into three sections, or three carved panels which are hinged together and can be folded shut or displayed open. It is therefore a type of polyptych, the term for all multi-panel works. The middle panel is typically the largest and it is flanked by two smaller related works, although there are triptychs of equal-sized panels.
fall leaf reclaimed wood art http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2013/10/how-to-make-fall-leaf-triptych.html
More than you wanted to know, huh?  Making one is easier than the definition.  Start with three pieces of wood that are the same width, but different heights.   I used three different pieces of reclaimed wood, but you could cut one larger piece of wood into three pieces.
fall leaf reclaimed wood art http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2013/10/how-to-make-fall-leaf-triptych.html
I looked up leaf outline shapes and drew one on a folded piece of newspaper so that it would be symmetrical. It took me a couple times to get a leaf I liked. 
fall leaf reclaimed wood art http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2013/10/how-to-make-fall-leaf-triptych.html
Place your three pieces of wood together and trace around the leaf shape with chalk.
fall leaf reclaimed wood art http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2013/10/how-to-make-fall-leaf-triptych.html
Use three or four colors of paint spooned onto a paper plate.  I was out of yellow, so I chose a melon color, green, orange, and red.  This amount shown was way too much--just use a spoonful of each to start.
fall leaf reclaimed wood art http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2013/10/how-to-make-fall-leaf-triptych.html
The paint technique I used is called a dip and drag technique that I first learned from Lake Girl Paints.  You need some small pieces of cardstock or cardboard. I also used a paint brush to stipple and blend some of the colors.  The cardstock will get soggy so you may need a few pieces of it.
fall leaf reclaimed wood art http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2013/10/how-to-make-fall-leaf-triptych.html
Load the cardstock with 2 or 3 colors of your paint and with a light hand, drag the cardstock onto your wood.  Reload with more paint and different color combinations as needed.
fall leaf reclaimed wood art http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2013/10/how-to-make-fall-leaf-triptych.html
Stipple or pounce with the brush when you want to blend the colors more or add a little more of one color.
I added some leaf veins with a brown craft paint.
fall leaf reclaimed wood art http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2013/10/how-to-make-fall-leaf-triptych.html
Lightly sand the leaf when the paint is dry.  I "stained" and conditioned the wood with coconut oil.  A tip:  if your wood is not completely sanded, use a dark rag to apply oil or you will end up with white lint where the wood is not completely smooth.
fall leaf reclaimed wood art http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2013/10/how-to-make-fall-leaf-triptych.html
Attach some picture hanging wire on the back and hang your triptych, leaving about 3/4 of an inch between each piece.
fall leaf reclaimed wood art http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2013/10/how-to-make-fall-leaf-triptych.html
A quick and easy way to add a little seasonal art to your home!
fall leaf reclaimed wood art http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2013/10/how-to-make-fall-leaf-triptych.html

3 comments:

Thanks so much for taking the time to comment, I really appreciate your kind words!