Prepping Leaves for Basing?

[SparrowMarie]

I've gotten to the basing point for Ma'al. I decided I wanted to put ivy vines around the base. While I just did the vines out of green stuff I'm not sure what to do about the leaves. I have a GSW leaf punch that I want to use but I'm not sure how to prep the leaves so nothing weird comes in with them. It's been suggested to me to use the oven but was given no further details.  I have other ideas if I can't get the leaves to work but I'd really like to use them since I went through the trouble of getting the punch specifically for this. 

 

So what would you do to real leaves to make them work for basing? 

[SisterMaryNapalm]

Well, you need to dry them - there's no doubt about it. I normally put them in a closed box, close it and put them on the heater for some time. I've never used the oven, though.

[ferret]

I suggest you press them while they dry so they don't curl.. If you don't have a leaf press, you could put them in a book.  After they dry completely, I usually give them a very light cost of sealant before punching them which seems to make the edges a bit sharper.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 7, 2020 by ferret

[Cranky Dog]

The only thing that comes to mind is to have the leaves free of bugs and dry.

[ManvsMini]

I would:

1. Punch your leaves out.
2. Put them into a small container with a bit of Future/Pledge/Whatever-they-call-it-now clear floor polish (or matte medium/varnish or whatever you have on hand that is liquid, clear and can be used as sealant).
3. Shake it all up so the leaves get coated.
4. Get the coated leaves out of the container (could use a small strainer you don't care about or fish them out with a spoon).
5. Spread the leaves out on some wax paper to dry (a toothpick can help to separate the leaves if they are stuck together).

Should then be all sealed and ready to go. I do this with dried oregano leaves for basing, and have even added a drop of some ink to tint the leaves so I have a variety of shades.