Sunday, November 17, 2013

The Secret To Creating Stunning Pressed Flower Art

By Katrina Wheeler


Pressing flowers is a unique way make cards, gifts and wall hangings. The secret behind successful pressed flower art is choosing the right paper, or fabric, for the base layer. Choosing the wrong type of paper is the biggest mistakes craft artists make. Flowers add a unique design element to paintings and crafts, and how petals are mounted makes a difference. The secret behind elegant flower art is in the choice of paper or fabric, used for the base layer.

A majority of projects artists take on that involve pressing use watercolor paper. Creative people use paints and charcoal to turn plain white paper into a colorful and interesting background. Paper meant for watercolors come in different types and grades. Choose a medium and cold-pressed paper when working with any kind of plant. Flowers stay intact for longer when you use watercolor paper.

When looking for a paper right for the project, handmade paper may be the best choice. Handmade paper can be used as a base layer, as well as a top layer. Paper made by hand can be opaque or transparent, making made by hand paper a great choice for the top sheet. Paper made by hand can reflect the vision seen in the mind, leaving the final product closer to the image in the mind.

A painter from the Renaissance created a special type of woven paper called Ingres paper. Fibers are crisscrossed and pulled tight resulting in a sheet of paper. Organic plant matter chemically binds directly to the paper when botanical glue is used. Ingres paper comes in dark earth tones, and is best used in projects where earthy shades are appropriate.

Japanese paper works great for plants, including flowers, leaves or weeds. The ideal texture of the paper should be one with a slightly rough surface. Wood pulp is the main ingredient in the paper, making plants bond to the paper permanently. When the artist wants a larger selection of paper, Japanese paper is a good choice. Giving artists a lot to work with in regards to the finished project.

Flowers are very delicate once the moisture has been drained from them. This is why using regular paper can result in a less than admirable craft. If the only paper available is regular paper, then some attempt should be made to give the paper a design and texture. One such way to add character to paper is to use marbling techniques.

When specifically talking about framed pressed flower projects, then it is appropriate to choose velvet or silk. Silk and velvet create a drastic effect when used as the base layer for plants, including flowers. It takes more skill, effort and time to work with fabrics. Flowers inset on fabrics securely, so practice and time are all that is needed to make the piece perfect.

When fabric is called for in a pressed flower art project, and silk and velvet are out, then cotton and linen are another choice. Cotton and linen may not be as pretty, but they are far more long-lasting than silk and velvet. Trying out many types of paper with different project is the best way to learn why paper is the most essential material needed to get the appealing results wanted.




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