When dissolved in hot water and allowed to cool, gelatin molecules trap water to create what scientists call a colloid, or a gel. When glycerin is added to a gel, it becomes slippery, so paper won’t stick to it and can be used to make beautiful prints that capture the character and anatomy of a leaf. I’m obsessed with this fun, easy science/art project. Parental supervision is recommended when adding the boiling water to the gelatin.

You’ll need:

1.5 cups vegetable glycerin ( around 375 ml) (I’d recommend ordering this online, since it’s cheaper.

1/2 cup cold water

112 grams powdered plain gelatin (four 1oz boxes of plain Knox gelatine, near Jell-O in the grocery aisle

1 and 1/2 cups boiling water

heat-resistant mixing bowl

kitchen strainer/sieve (optional)

liquid measuring cup

large, flat container, such as a casserole dish or rimmed baking sheet

paper towels

paper

a small paint roller or brayer

liquid acrylic paint

leaves

Directions”

1. Place 1/2 cup cold water in a bowl.
2. Pour half of the glycerin liquid into the water and mix slowly to avoid bubbles.
3. Sprinkle the gelatin powder into the water/glycerin and stir/mash together.
4. Add boiling water and stir carefully, mashing up the lumps until the gelatin dissolves.
5. Put the mixture through the sieve to remove any lumps of undissolved gelatin.
6. Add the remaining glycerin to the strained gelatin mixture.
7. Slowly stir to thoroughly blend all ingredients, being careful not to introduce bubbles.
8. Pour the mixed liquid into the large, flat container.
9. Use a paper towel to skim any bubbles off the surface of your gelatin mix
10. Let the gelatin sit undisturbed for an hour or two, and then put it in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
11. While the plate solidifies, find some fresh leaves. Use a book or app to try to identify the leaves you picked.
12. When the gelatin plate is ready, you can leave it in the container or remove it. (I left it in the casserole dish.) Use the roller to apply paint to the gelatin
13. Lay some leaves on the paint and use a finger to smooth each part of the leaf down into the paint. To highlight the veins on the leaf, lightly roll paint over the leaf.
14. Carefully put a piece of paper down on top of the leaves and paint. Use your fingers to smooth the top sheet of paper and transfer the paint. Lift the paper to reveal the leaf prints.
15. Peel the leaves off the painted gel and place them between two sheets of paper to make a positive print. Smooth the paper to transfer the paint and separate the paper to see the images.
16. The gelatin plate can be reused with different paint colors. Just wash the gel plate with a wet paper towel between uses, and store it between pieces of saran wrap. It should keep for a few weeks.