This article gives you an easy step-by-step guide on how you can turn ginkgo leaves into painted butterflies. Learn where to find gingko leaves near you, how to paint them, and how to make the process easy and kid-friendly. You’ll also get some spicy science facts and learn about the spiritual significance of the leaves themselves!
Fallen leaves cover the ground around this time in fall. Beautifully, they color the ground making it crunchy as we step. Although I’d argue that the way these fallen leaves lay on the ground is itself art, what if we made these fallen leaves into our own art?
Inspired by Gu Houxin’s work, ginkgo biloba butterfly, I sought out to make these fallen leaves into art of my own.
Before we get started, lets talk about the beauty of ginkgo leaves themselves.
I find it beautiful the way that each ginkgo leaf is misshapen in some sort of way, allowing each painted ginkgo-leaf butterfly to take on its own shape. It makes each butterfly original and allows the artist to have more freedom to make “mistakes”.
As a young or new artist, there is usually intimidation to express oneself artistically due to fear of mistakes or messing up. But there are no mistakes in art, only imperfections. Take that lesson from the ginkgo leaves themselves! They are all bent and misshapen in beautifully imperfect ways, but you wouldn’t call one leaf ugly. Some are just more perfect than others.
Now lets dive into our art project!
Ginkgo leaves (of course!)
Acrylic Paint
Small paint brushes
Scrap paper
Paint markers (optional)
Before you can start painting, find yourself a happy ginkgo tree with fallen leaves. Collect as many leaves as you would like to paint. I found that the less crispy leaves were easiest to work with. As seen in the photo below, I chose a wide variety of shapes and sizes, all of which worked perfectly.
Can’t find ginkgo trees near you? Find gingkoes in your area!
Using a knife, slice the stem of the ginkgo leaf down the middle. Slow and steady is the best approach to this.
Some antennas will naturally bend outwardly, but in most cases you will have to bend the stems yourself to give them the look you want. I found it best to bend them and hold them in place for 30 seconds. You can also use a book to hold them in place for a while.
Optional: You can choose to press your leaves in a heavy book for a few days before painting, but I find that this approach lessens the flowy-ness of the ginkgo leaf’s “wings”. However, this may help in preserving your leaves in the long run.
Since you will be painting leaves, paint can easily fall off the edges so I recommend painting over newspaper or scrap paper.
Start off with a base coat. As a matter of fact, the more layers of paint you add, the more vibrant your colors will look, so be sure to take the time to add layers.
Tip: First paint your leaves white before adding color to make the color pop!
Now, use a paint dotter and a small paint brush to add details. The more layers of color you add, the more dimension you will give your ginkgo butterflies.
If you want to harden your leaves you can buy resign and add a thin coat on each leaf once the paint dries. This can help preserve the leaves if you hope to keep them for a long time. You can also use a clear glue to reinforce the antennas, but this is also optional!
To make the experience more kid friendly, I recommend buying paint markers. This allows kids to be messy with paint, adding designs with paint markers once the base layer of paint has dried.
Additionally, finger painting may also be a great option for young ones! If you are going this route, searching for larger ginkgo leaves is the way to go.
As stated before, this art was inspired by a creator I found on Pinterest, Gu Houxin. Gu Houxin’s work ginkgo biloba butterfly features handmade butterflies painted on a leaf of a ginkgo tree. As a matter of fact, the 81-year-old resides in China and has painted over 700 leaves.
Now, let’s dive into some information on ginkgo trees themselves!
Ginkgo trees are native to China and Japan but very rare in natural stands. Many of the standing ginkgo trees in East Asia are planted around temples for its spiritual significance. It is cultivated widely in the midwestern region of North America, but it is also planted all around the world for its aesthetic beauty.
On another note, watch out for sticky ginkgo fruit. The fruit is said to smell like a dead animal. And why? Well because this tree is old as heck, dating back to when dinosaurs roamed the earth and they scavenged for food. It is said that the terrible smell of ginkgo fruit was used to attract dinosaurs.
The ginkgo tree is of spiritual significance to many people in the east. “The Ginkgo tree is a phenomenon, an object of veneration, a sacred tree of the East, a symbol of unity of opposites, by some seen as a symbol of changelessness, possessing miraculous power, bearer of hope and of the immeasurable past, a symbol of love”.
Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed learning about ginkgo tress and the art of their beautiful leaves. Like my content? Sign up for my weekly newsletter!
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