Becca M, the only time we had a problem is when we tried to use cement that was in the garage over the winter. We have had the best luck with cheap sand mix. We do the leaves one day, leave them on the board until the next day and then turn them over and peal the leaf off. They then go into a swimming pool for a couple days to cure under water. This helps them cure slowly. The next step is to dry a week or two depending on the weather before getting a coat of black cement sealer. Hope this helps.
@@beccam1007 I wouldn't put them in right away but once they are hardened it helps them cure more slowly and makes them stronger. That was an improvement to our process when one of the people taking the class had her husband who built highways insist hers were kept in water. I wouldn't have known otherwise.
We use rhubarb leaves for the big ones (some as big as bird bath size) so early June maybe? We've also used some large hosta leaves too. You just need leaves with well-defined veins (& cement gets poured on the back of the leaf). We've talked about making a video that shows how to make the cement leaf itself; maybe this year.
Thankyou for sharing & the leaf seems to pop out after painting. The acrylic paint makes all the difference. Bev Car. P.S (Off now to the garage to paint my Rhubarb Leaf)
We just painted the black sealer on first; then painted with the acrylic colors. No other top coat. Ours are always outside except for the winter. After a few years if they look too weathered, you can always redo the painting.
I've have made a bird bath from cement mix over rhubarb leaves, pretty impressed with the result at my first try. I have just made another for a gift, I want to paint it like yours, can I use a spray yacht varnish on it to help make it water resistant do you think it will work ? Thank you for your excellent post.
I’ve never used yacht varnish. I’m not sure why you need to make it water resistant. My leaves are outside & have been for years. Rain doesn’t hurt them.
I loved you info and the result of your work. Hard to believe that black is the background. What size brush did you use it looks like a big one. Where did You buy it? I checked several places including ebay and cant find one the size you have, thanks for sharing,Dagmar
We just bought a gallon from Sherwin Williams. See one of the other comment responses for exact kind. I don't remember the cost. It lasts us 3-4 years & we do 60 leaves/year.
Watch the video. We used a variety of colors, layered them to achieve the effect we wanted. We used metallic greens, gold, oranges, lavender - whatever you like.
These leaves are beautiful!! Did you use the stencil brush to apply the black concrete stain? How many coats? Did you apply a sealer when you finished with the metallic paints?
No. We used a regular paint brush - maybe even a sponge brush - to paint the black concrete stain. We may have painted a couple of black coats - or just touched up the spots that didn't cover. We did paint the bottom too.
Yes. Paint the black sealer over entire cement leaf, front & back. We didn't put any other sealer on them after painting with colors. You may have to spruce them up after a few years or redo the painting if you want. Mine have been outside for 2-3 years & are just starting to show wear. I do bring them inside garage over the harsh winter.
Becca M, the only time we had a problem is when we tried to use cement that was in the garage over the winter. We have had the best luck with cheap sand mix. We do the leaves one day, leave them on the board until the next day and then turn them over and peal the leaf off. They then go into a swimming pool for a couple days to cure under water. This helps them cure slowly. The next step is to dry a week or two depending on the weather before getting a coat of black cement sealer. Hope this helps.
thank you for the information! I didn't know under water was a good thing. I thought if they got wet they would just turn back in to mush
@@beccam1007 I wouldn't put them in right away but once they are hardened it helps them cure more slowly and makes them stronger. That was an improvement to our process when one of the people taking the class had her husband who built highways insist hers were kept in water. I wouldn't have known otherwise.
@@lindafrautschy2691 that is a very interesting detail.
Do you have any suggestions where I can find large leaves in the Midwest this time of year?
We use rhubarb leaves for the big ones (some as big as bird bath size) so early June maybe? We've also used some large hosta leaves too. You just need leaves with well-defined veins (& cement gets poured on the back of the leaf). We've talked about making a video that shows how to make the cement leaf itself; maybe this year.
I'm in southern Wisconsin, by the way.
Hello what kind of concrete do you use?
Victoria Morrison We just purchased sand based that's available at any hardware or store like Home Depot.
You do have talent. The choice of color and how you apply them shows talent👍👍👍
Great thanks for this informations
Thanks for the great video!
+Deb Kucken. It is Sherwin Williams Concrete Stain, Solid Color (black), water-based, Interior & Exterior. Sorry it took me so long.
Thank you so much for your prompt response. Can't wait to get started:)
Thankyou for sharing & the leaf seems to pop out after painting. The acrylic paint makes all the difference.
Bev Car. P.S (Off now to the garage to paint my Rhubarb Leaf)
Hope it turned out lovely!
Thank you so much for posting this! I have been looking and looking for a Tutorial on how to paint my leaves!!
I hope it worked out for you.
Very interesting, love all crafts. I think this will be something i'll try next. Thank for sharing.
Hope you were able to do this!
Love that you mentioned the type of brush you use....have been wondering which type for dry brushing. Thank you !
Your leaves are beautiful
Wow,Some real nice work there. Great stuff, gives me inspiration!!
Thanks!
how to you get your leaves so thin without cracking? ours were thicker than yours and they cracked
Becca M See Linda Frautschy's comment about the best kind of cement to use as well as the process we used to cure the leaves slowly.
Very helpful information and you have achieved excellent results.
Thanks. Glad you liked them.
Do you put a sealer on them and if yes, what kind? Lovely work!
Sherwin Williams Concrete Stain, solid color (black), water-based, for interior or exterior.
Love your idea and technique. If you use the outdoors is there a top coat I should use?
We just painted the black sealer on first; then painted with the acrylic colors. No other top coat. Ours are always outside except for the winter. After a few years if they look too weathered, you can always redo the painting.
I've have made a bird bath from cement mix over rhubarb leaves, pretty impressed with the result at my first try. I have just made another for a gift, I want to paint it like yours, can I use a spray yacht varnish on it to help make it water resistant do you think it will work ? Thank you for your excellent post.
I’ve never used yacht varnish. I’m not sure why you need to make it water resistant. My leaves are outside & have been for years. Rain doesn’t hurt them.
@@iowanbarb thank you for your advise, this is going to be my first attempt on painting a bird bath ☺️
Absolutely beautiful!!!!
Thanks!
THANX for uploading, beautiful work ♥
♥ ♥ ♥
♥
Thank you!
+Barbara Muse Thank you for thank you! it was great pleasure to watch this vid again, I´ve allready forgotten ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ too much work in the midtime....
your leafs are beautiful
Thank you for sharing. How long do you let your concrete leaves dry before painting them?
Thanks for sharing and the info!
Thanks!
Absolutely stunning x
I loved you info and the result of your work. Hard to believe that black is the background. What size brush did you use it looks like a big one. Where did You buy it? I checked several places including ebay and cant find one the size you have, thanks for sharing,Dagmar
I don't know the size. It's just a stenciling brush for the colors. I think you could use any size.
so you never had a crack in your leads?
hi your black sealer that you used what size can did you buy and how much was it... many thanks .they are beautiful
We just bought a gallon from Sherwin Williams. See one of the other comment responses for exact kind. I don't remember the cost. It lasts us 3-4 years & we do 60 leaves/year.
question I have a cement outdoor statue that has fine cracks bout less than 1/16 what could you recommend to restore this.
I have no idea.
Very nicely done! Do you sell the leaves that you make? Thanks for the tutorial!
georgia okeeffe : No. We hold classes for a local charity to use as a fundraiser.
What colors do you used?
Watch the video. We used a variety of colors, layered them to achieve the effect we wanted. We used metallic greens, gold, oranges, lavender - whatever you like.
@@iowanbarb Thank you ! I already make a list of those colors.
These leaves are beautiful!! Did you use the stencil brush to apply the black concrete stain? How many coats? Did you apply a sealer when you finished with the metallic paints?
No. We used a regular paint brush - maybe even a sponge brush - to paint the black concrete stain. We may have painted a couple of black coats - or just touched up the spots that didn't cover. We did paint the bottom too.
No sealer.
where do I find the flat black cement sealer?
We bought a basic black cement sealer at a Sherwin Williams paint store. Hope that helps!
Barbara Muse
Thank you so much!
Barbara Muse Could you tell me the name of the product. I called Sherwin Williams and they said they only had a stain.
Deb Kucken, I'm looking into it. I loaned it to a friend.
Barbara Muse thank you.......ours are ready to paint. Made 9 with some friends
Do you also use the sealer to paint the back of it? Do you have to seal it with anything else after its painted?
Yes. Paint the black sealer over entire cement leaf, front & back. We didn't put any other sealer on them after painting with colors. You may have to spruce them up after a few years or redo the painting if you want. Mine have been outside for 2-3 years & are just starting to show wear. I do bring them inside garage over the harsh winter.
@@iowanbarb what brand or kind of concrete sealer do you use please?
@@michellecoburn5137 We bought the concrete sealer at Sherwin Williams.
@@michellecoburn5137 Sherwin Williams Concrete Stain, black, water-based, for interior or exterior.
@@iowanbarb thank you 🙏
where can I get the black sealer?
Pamela Wright Sherwin Williams
Barbara Muse we're do you get the chance black Searles
leafs
No. Never have had cracks show up on my leaves.