Discover our selection of leaf paintings for sale. We’ve curated this unique collection of leaf paintings by some of the best contemporary painters working today. Our collection is always expanding to include a diverse selection of subjects and styles. If you are not sure where to start, try exploring our abstract or expressionism styles.
Or take a look at Marianne Nix. Marianne is fascinated by the beauty of nature and explores it through her mixed media technique. Nix combines photography, digital tools, traditional printmaking and oil paint glazes and impasto, to create multiple layers to her paintings and prints. By adding and removing layers she creates varying tones and depths of colour, intensifying the visual interest and intrigue.
In images such as Jungle Shadows Dancing VI (2019) Nix overlaps the leaves to create patterns and a jungle of shapes. By stripping the colour and layering the image she distorts the subject, creating a bold and striking image.
The practice of leaf painting, and botanical art in general, dates back to the 15th century, with artists such as Leonardo de Vinci (1452-1519) studying and drawing plants as a botanist.
Within the world of botany, leaf painting can be categorised as either botanical art or illustration, depending on the emphasis being either scientific or aesthetic.
Botanical illustrations are scientific recordings which require botanical accuracy to enable identification.
In the 18th century, so many plant species were being discovered that a classification system was developed which combined detailed illustrations with botanical text, to allow for accurate identification.
This form of leaf painting is predominantly a scientific pursuit and is still practiced today, with many botanical illustrators preferring drawing to photography, in order to capture the highest level of detail.