<p>My wife and I did a bit of this the last time we were in Japan. It was very difficult, but also very interesting. </p>

<p>As the previous answer indicated, experimentation is key here. In fact, I almost think it's the whole point of this technique. Each time you fail miserably, you'll learn a bit more about what doesn't work. </p>

<p>Try everything you come across (it's all free materials anyway). Make notes on what did/didn't work. You can number your papers to correlate with your notes.</p>

<p>You may find that different plant materials respond better under different hammering techniques.</p>

<p>Once you have developed a feel for it (through experience), you will quickly develop your own signature style.</p>

<p>Don't be afraid to fail miserably.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-02-15T13:51:24.903Z
2017-02-15T15:01:25.533Z
2017-02-15T15:01:25.533Z
Vasqi
<p>Over the summer I tried to do some hammered leaf art. Since I had never done it before I was just grabbing random leaves and plants that I thought would look good if I beat them on some watercolour paper. </p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/Yyrfn.jpg"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/Yyrfn.jpg" alt="My beaten leaves and flowers"></a></p>

<p>I thought a fern and some maple leaves would look really good but alas I has awful results. You can't really see where they were because there was not enough juice in them. </p>

<p>The leaf in the upper left looked really good. <a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/Hammered-leaf-and-flower-prints/">After reading my first intro to this art</a> the author said that: </p>

<blockquote>
  <p>You're looking for things with bright colors that aren't too juicy or too dry. It'll take a little trial and error to find good plants, so grab a variety and play around.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Is that really the only advice when getting into this... trial and error? I understand crafting has a large part of just that but in this case is there more to go on for this when it comes to select leaves to hammer?</p>

<ul>
<li>If I find a good leaf can I assume that species of that size and age is a good choice going forward?</li>
<li>Is there a way I can tell visually if a leaf is juicy or dry?</li>
</ul>

<p>How can I effectively access a leaf/plant for use in my nature prints or hammered art?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-09-30T03:55:15.053Z
Tag might not get used much but something should go here.
Matt
<medium-selection><hammered-leaf>
How can I select suitable leaves for hammered leaf art?
Matt
# How can I select suitable leaves for hammered leaf art?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-09-30)

Over the summer I tried to do some hammered leaf art. Since I had never done it before I was just grabbing random leaves and plants that I thought would look good if I beat them on some watercolour paper.

[![My beaten leaves and flowers](https://i.sstatic.net/Yyrfn.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/Yyrfn.jpg)

I thought a fern and some maple leaves would look really good but alas I has awful results. You can't really see where they were because there was not enough juice in them.

The leaf in the upper left looked really good. [After reading my first intro to this art](http://www.instructables.com/id/Hammered-leaf-and-flower-prints/) the author said that:

> You're looking for things with bright colors that aren't too juicy or too dry. It'll take a little trial and error to find good plants, so grab a variety and play around.

Is that really the only advice when getting into this... trial and error? I understand crafting has a large part of just that but in this case is there more to go on for this when it comes to select leaves to hammer?

* If I find a good leaf can I assume that species of that size and age is a good choice going forward?
* Is there a way I can tell visually if a leaf is juicy or dry?

How can I effectively access a leaf/plant for use in my nature prints or hammered art?

**Tags:** medium-selection, hammered-leaf

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Tag might not get used much but something should go here.  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2017-02-15. Score: 2

My wife and I did a bit of this the last time we were in Japan. It was very difficult, but also very interesting.

As the previous answer indicated, experimentation is key here. In fact, I almost think it's the whole point of this technique. Each time you fail miserably, you'll learn a bit more about what doesn't work.

Try everything you come across (it's all free materials anyway). Make notes on what did/didn't work. You can number your papers to correlate with your notes.

You may find that different plant materials respond better under different hammering techniques.

Once you have developed a feel for it (through experience), you will quickly develop your own signature style.

Don't be afraid to fail miserably.


---

