Essential Tips For Making Pressed Flower Art

By Katrina Wheeler


The biggest mistake people make when attempting to create pressed flower art, crafts or paintings is using the wrong type of paper. The paper is the most important part of the entire piece and can make or break the project. Flower craft projects look professional and unique when the creator understands the importance of using the right paper.

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 store-bought paper does not match the image in an artist's head, then making paper by hand is often the next best choice. Handmade paper is fitting and appropriate for art work involving pressed blossoms, petals or leaves. Paper made by hand can be made to be semi-transparent, and is a good paper to use for protective top layers.

Ingres paper, also known as laid paper, is a lesser known paper used to make dazzling artwork. Ingres paper, discovered by a French painter, is woven. The special way Ingress is woven leaves it with a raised texture. Flowers firmly attach to Ingres paper. Not all flowers are vibrant after being dried. The dark rich color of Ingres paper tends to be most appropriate when using vibrant flowers.

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.

Using regular paper is not desirable with something as delicate as dried flowers. When using regular paper, then a raised and rough surface is important. Turning regular paper into marbled paper makes it appropriate for the task. Creating marble paper takes more effort and knowledge but also creates an intricate background design for the finished product.

Some fabrics can be used for projects. The most impressive fabrics for this purpose are silk and velvet. Silk and velvet cost more and are more difficult to handle, but the end project is almost always eye catching and impressive. Botanical glue secures the organic matter to silk and velvet. It is important to remember silk and velvet pieces are not as long lasting.

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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