Instructions For Modelling Foliage
There are various ways of modelling leaves, but I would recommend them
to be made of sheet wax as much as possible. Take three sheets of green
wax, matching in colour the leaf you are about to imitate. It is not
material whether the middle sheet is the same colour as the upper or
under sheet. Cover a wire,--the size must be chosen according to the
proportion of the leaf,--place the said wire when covered under one
shee
--cut the wax into the form of the leaf required. Plunge the real
leaf into cold water, and the wax into hot; while in a softened state
press it firmly and quickly upon the wrong side of the real leaf. This
will give a truthful imitation. If a real leaf cannot be obtained of any
particular flower, they can be modelled from a plaister mould, which I
shall be happy to furnish.
Another method is to melt a small quantity of green wax into a liquid
state. With a broad flat brush wash over the wrong side of a real leaf,
previously oiled with the best salad oil.
The latter method may be also adopted upon a mould, soaked in warm water
ten minutes previous to its being used.
The stalk must be attached afterwards, and a second layer of wax placed
over.