Artist Makes Cutout Art From Leaves, Here Are His 17 Recent Works

In an era of innovative technology and developing AI, it's important to remember that real artists are still creating truly authentic pieces. We often forget how much talent, time, practice, and sacrifice go into producing any work of art. Some fields of craft require these factors even more than others.

The work of Japanese artist Lito Leaf is one such example. This skilled artist creates intricate “illustrations” by cutting detailed pictures into leaves. Focusing primarily on animals, Lito Leaf showcases little scenes full of fine details within the space of a single leaf. Check out our previous post if you'd like to see some of their earlier works.

More info: Instagram | lito-leafart.com | x.com

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We spoke with the artist behind these unique leafy artworks to learn more about the inspiration behind his creations. He shared that the idea for starting his project came after seeing an article about leaf cutout art by a Spanish artist: “It inspired me to try it myself.”

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When asked to describe the process for selecting the perfect leaf for a particular piece, the artist responded: “When I take photos holding the finished leaf art in one hand, if the leaf is too thin, it sways in the wind or the character might fall over. However, hard or thick leaves make intricate cuts difficult, so I choose leaves with just the right thickness and softness.”

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We were curious about the most challenging aspect of working with such a delicate and natural material like leaves. The Lito Leaf explained: “Unlike paper, leaves have veins, so it's challenging to cut while considering the uneven surface and to plan the overall design around the leaf veins. Also, even leaves of the same type vary slightly in size and shape, so I have to adjust the design or the number of characters to fit each leaf, which can be quite difficult.”

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Next, the artist told us how he ensures the longevity of his leaf art: “I make dry leaves by soaking leaves that haven't yet withered in a mixture of glycerin and hot water for about five days. This allows the leaves to remain soft and supple even after they have dried, instead of becoming brittle.”

Lastly, Lito Leaf added: “I store the finished leaf art at home by placing each piece between plastic wrap and then placing them in clear files, one by one. Sometimes, I also frame them for exhibitions.”

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