Busy And Colorful Weekend.

Hey Gang!

So I had a busy and colorful weekend!  In noticing the leaves, I knew I
wanted leave to use for future  diorama posts but could find what I wanted!
I notice a post on facebook with great leaves.  I asked where she go them and
she told me she made them from silk ivy leaves she found.  She painted them!
So now I was on the hunt for ivy or other leaves that I could paint.

Let me tell you, there are a lot of huge leave out there but finding Barbie
size leaves is hard!  After searching high and low ( mostly low because
I'm cheap!) I found these at a craft store for $2.50 that were the right size
but they were orange! (Halloween decorations)  I knew I would have to
paint them to get what I wanted.  It is a little over three feet of stringed leaves.

I cut them off the string! The were maple shaped.
Which is what I think of when I think of fall in the northeast!

Some were flat but some had bends in them!  I thought the bends would work
too! It gave them interest!

I started off paint some brown!  It took two coats on both sides!

In between coats, I painted this fashionista to be my college age Ryan!  I got the 

idea for him from a post I saw on My Froggy Stuff!

 You can't have enough redheads!

This head wasn't selling so, I might as well keep it and paint it!

Dressed, he looks kinda good!

 I gave him highlights!

Ryan: Has anyone seen a cell phone lying around here?

 Not  my best paint job but not too bad for a first attempt! The paint needs to
be sealed.

OK, back to the leaves!

So I need other colors than brown and orange! Brown and oranges were not 

enough!  I needed colors like yellow, green and red!

More leaves!

I added some details to the leaves to make them seem more natural! Adding bits

of orange to my brown leaves and ...

lighter green to my dark green leaves.  As I added them then I notice my green
leaves were kinda dark!  They might not show up as much on a green grass
background or a brown dirt background!

I needed some light green leaves also!  And maybe some peach color leave for 

contrast.

I added detail to them too.  I might not show up in a diorama photo but I will
know it is there!

While they dried I got this guy ready to go!

I have just sold him.  He is an extra Li Shang I got with a lot I purchased
a few years back.

I bought a newer version that has sculpted hair so he really need to find a
new home!
Li Shang:  I'm here now and I take over!

Side by side! Note the difference in complexion!
Both are Disney Store dolls!
Li Shang: OK, good bye!

Leaving the scene!

A have a few horse with those large doll like eyes! I thought if I painted them right.
they would not be so annoying!
I started that while waiting.

Horse: I can't see, I can't see!

Ms. Leo: I have to let that coat dry before you can see!

Horse with annoying eyes! and maybe mouth too....

Back to the leaves!

The finished product!

I'm happy with how they turned out.  I will store

them in layers with tissue in between so that they don't 

stick together.  That might happen is stored in a clump.

I will make more but this is enough for now!

Ryan: WOW! It is fall already!

OK, Thanks for Looking!