How to make crop art or seed art–a mosaic of seeds.

Steps

  1. Using a pencil and eraser, draw a picture of what you want on a piece of Masonite or wood.
    • Make your drawing a line drawing, like a picture in a coloring book.
  2. Attach picture hanging hardware to the back of the wood.
    • You must do this before you begin gluing seeds on - if you do it afterwards, you will knock seeds off when you hammer.
  3. Begin applying seeds.
    • Apply glue to small areas of your picture, and apply seeds by dumping them on and pouring them off (works best for small seeds, like millet or poppy seeds).
    • Or, place them one by one, using a toothpick to move them into place.
  4. Gradually fill in all areas with seeds.
     Gradually fill in all areas with seeds.
    Gradually fill in all areas with seeds.
    • Generally, you want to cover everything so that there are no spots of bare wood.
  5. Let glue dry.
    • When completely dry, you may add a coat of spray acrylic or shellac to add a shiny finish to it.


Tips

  • Rice works well if you want to make bold outlines.
  • Pay attention to the seeds' texture, as well as their color.
  • All seeds will eventually fade in color, and no spray-on coating will completely protect your work from insects.
  • In mosaics, the eye reads a multicolored seed as one color, the dominant color. So a mostly pink with brown spotted seed will seem pink, when you step back and look at your work from a distance.
  • Eventually all green seeds turn brown.
  • You can also apply seeds, and then paint on top of the seeds with acrylic paint.
  • Big heavy seeds may need stronger types of glue.
  • If you want a frame, attach wood inside the frame, and then glue in seeds to make your picture. If you try to attach the frame afterwards, you need to leave a margin of wood free of seeds in order to fit inside the frame.


Warnings

  • Make sure you use picture hanging hardware that will hold the weight of your work.
  • Seeds are best stored in glass jars (plastic containers sometimes retain moisture leading to mold).
  • Seeds attract rodents and insects, so keep your seeds contained.


Things You'll Need

  • You will need: hammer, picture hanging hardware, pencil and eraser, toothpicks, seeds, white craft glue, 1/4" Masonite or plywood, spray shellac or acrylic finish (optional).