93 OTO021 PLANT LIGHT LEAVES ATTEMPT

20-01-2024

Selection of the material for the paper used to make the leaves and determination of the shape of the leaves.

Printed paper has the worst texture so is not considered.

Sulphate paper is the hardest and transmits light well, but it cracks too easily.

Xuan paper has the best halo effect,
and the texture on the paper can add texture, but it is a bit soft, so if you make a large blade, it will not be too supportive.

In the end, I chose Xuan paper, and the solution for the softness was to use two layers of paper to fold the large leaves.

Because the leaves don't completely encompass the bulb, I needed to make a shade to keep the directly exposed bulb light from being too harsh. After trying a few different flower buds, one was picked that wouldn't be too simple or too complicated and would wrap around the bulb just right.

I tried a few methods regarding combining the balancing wire with the leaves. Directly gluing it into the folded structure of the paper, a method that would make the wire more invisible. Stitching with a needle and thread, one leaves the wire exposed above, giving a sense of leaf veining. The other hides the wire at the back while attaching a mirrored disc to create a leaf hanging with dew drops. I have used several methods in my work to make the leaves appear slightly different rather than identical, which is more realistic and interesting.