Aluminium Foil Leaf Art (Texture, Lines and Shapes)

I have been wanting to make this artwork for ages but just never seemed to get around to it. It's boiling hot here (summer time in Australia) so it seemed like the time to get started.....under the air conditioner..
   The INSTRUCTIONS (Steps 1, 2 and 3) were originally created for using tissue paper. Steps 4 - 14 are my modified Steps when using aluminium foil and making this artwork. It is really important to use HEAVY DUTY foil as the thin stuff just rips and splits.
    I originally saw a similar artwork on Pinterest but the cost of materials made it a little bit expensive. 
   It is also really important to use leaves that are fresh not dead, and veins on the leaves stand up high.

I used a clear glue to stick the leaves to the cardboard base. A glue stik doesn't work and PVA glue takes too long to dry and hold things in position

Step 4: The aluminium foil needs to be added slowly and in sections.

Step 5: Using a glue stik, add glue to the surface of the leaves and the background/cardboard. Avoid lumps of glue if possible. Work in sections about 5-6cms wide at a time.

Step 6: Lay a sheet of heavy duty aluminium foil on the edge of the glued area. As you lay the foil down, dab it lightly to ensure it is sticking to the leaves and cardboard.

Step 7: With a soft tissue, rub the foil down in a firm circular motion.

Step 8: Repeat Steps 6 and 7 until you have completed the last section.

Step 9: Fold the foil over to the back of the artwork and glue it down with the glue stik.

Step 10: Using a soft tissue, rub over each leaf individually, making sure the edges and texture appears sharply. I used a cotton bud as it allowed me to control how closely I got to the edges of leaves and enabled me to achieve fine textural details.

Step 11: With a soft tissue dabbed in black acrylic paint, go over the artwork with a circular movement. Do not use too much paint. The paint will dry fairly quickly as the layer is thin. Be careful not to tear or rip the foil.

If too much paint is removed, simply add some more then continue to rub, taking off the desired amount.

Step 12: On my sample artwork, I added copper paint in a toned effect around the edges of the leaves. This made the leaves stand out against the black layer of paint.

Step 13: I then did some dry brushing with gold paint on the leaves. I discovered that metallic oil pastels can be used as a replacement to paint - I will definitely be using metallic oil pastels instead of metallic paint when I do this artwork with the kids. 

Step 14: Lastly, I added some black oil pastel onto the edges of the leaves to achieve more definition in the leaf shape.