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How to Paint Holly Leaves

Leaves make a beautiful addition to any craft project, and holly leaves---with their distinct shape, gloss and texture---are especially appealing during the holiday season. They are also versatile and can be used to make simple crafts such as ornaments or gift tags for beginners or children or a more complex project such as a wreath for advanced crafters.

Things You'll Need

Holly leaves
Acrylic paint
Large book
Flat surface such as a table or workbench
Old tablecloth or bed sheet
Clear-coat craft spray

Instructions

- 1
  Gather your leaves. Since holly leaves grow year-round in milder climates, this should not be a difficult task, even during the winter months. The number of leaves you collect will depend upon the project you are working on.
- 2
  Place the leaves between the pages of a large book to press them flat.
- 3
  Prepare the environment. A flat surface such as a table or workbench works best. Cover the surface with an old tablecloth or bed sheet to prevent paint from getting on the work area.
- 4
  Spray the leaves with a clear-coat craft spray such as Krylon Matte Finish spray to harden the leaf for painting. Let the leaf dry for about five minutes before painting.
- 5
  Paint the leaf using any color acrylic paint you wish. Depending on the project you are working on, you may want to paint the entire leaf a solid color or make a pattern or picture.
- 6
  Once the paint is dry, spray the leaf again with the finishing spray to set the paint. Allow it to dry for approximately five minutes before touching.

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