Press Flowers to Use in Your Art
I love to use pressed flowers for my ecoprinted papers and as pressed specimens. Both techniques are wonderful in my botanical art work.
I use the pressed and dried flowers in my ecoprinting. I also scan them and save them as files to use in my cutting machine where I can make stencils and masks.
Here’s my easy and quick way to press the flowers for use in your art work.
Pressing flowers is a technique that dates back to ages ago. It’s still popular and so easy.
HISTORY OF PRESSED FLOWERS
Read what Western Reserve Historical Society has to say about pressing flowers:
_Perhaps the most appealing part of this pastime was its accessibility. Although some used tools such as the field press (a small device designed to clamp the specimens tightly between two boards), sophisticated equipment was not required to get a satisfying end result. In fact, the only items needed to take up this new hobby were a large book, a few flowers, and a bit of patience._
Easy Way to Press Flowers for Art
I use three main tools that I have in my studio:
- An old phone book
- A craft knife
And flowers and leaves, of course.
I’ve described my homemade press before. It’s the same press. It needs some work, but it still does the job.
The phone book does a great job of soaking up the moisture from the flowers. The paper is absorbent but doesn’t stick to the flowers (not much anyway).
I’ve used expensive blotter paper for this, too. The blotter paper doesn’t stick at all, which is good, but it does cost money where the phone book is free. Don’t forget to ask friends and family for their cast-off phone books.
Steps for Pressed Flowers and Leaves
Step #1 - I pick the flowers or leaves I want to press and lay them between pages in the phone book. I think this is an eco-friendly method of preserving the flowers and leaves. I’m conscious of not taking all of the flowers I find in the wild. I cut the flowers, leaving the foliage and roots where they grow.
Step #2 - I close the book and put it in the flower press.
Step #3 - Then I tighten the wing nuts and set the press+phone book aside.
Step #4 - After waiting at least a week, I take the phone book out of the press and open it to the page with flowers and leaves.
Step #5 - If any flowers or leaves are stuck to the page, I use the tip of the craft knife to gently lift the stuck edge.
Final result - flat, pressed flowers and leaves ready to add to my art.
Ecoprinting with Pressed Flowers and Leaves
It’s been my experience that using the pressed and dried flowers in the ecoprinting process gives good results.
Even though the flowers and stems are dry, they still leave color behind when “cooked” with steam and pressure.
Have you tried pressing and drying flowers? Have you used them in ecoprinting? Please share your thoughts about this process. I’d love to read what you think. ~Carol