How to Press Flowers like Artist Tess Newall
One of our favourite artists, Tess Newall, is an expert at creating beautiful crafts at home. Here she gives us her expert guide to pressing flowers.
Even if you don't have a garden, you can always buy flowers at the shops. They are such an uplifting thing to buy along with the essential supplies. And then once you have enjoyed them in a vase, why not extend the pleasure by pressing them and making beautiful artworks once they're done?
Tess' tips on how to press flowers:
- Pick flowers when they are dry, as any moisture on the surface can make them go mouldy.
- Avoid flowers with large blousy heads like roses. Spring wildflowers press beautifully and keep their bright colours - look out for primulas and forget-me-nots. Herbs from your window box will also press well - parsley has a lovely delicate shape.
- Press soon after picking or buying, or at least before they show any signs of wilting or turning brown.
- Keep the flowers in water until just before pressing, so the petals stay well hydrated.
- Lay flowers between 2 sheets of blotting paper (or tissue/baking paper), sandwiched between 2 sheets of cardboard (a cardboard box is heavier and better than, say, a cereal box), within a flower press or a heavy book. Note that the flowers' colours can run into books, so make sure to use the paper.
- Flowers with naturally flat faces can be laid face down with the stem cut short, and you can gently prise the flower open to give the shape that you want. If it is on its side, make sure the petals / buds don't overlap too much, so you get a nice profile.
- There is a slight art and magic to how you then flatten them, easing them into their optimum position before the final press. If using a traditional flower press then it is a case of tightening the wingnuts evenly. If using a book, then tighten an elastic band or piece of string around the book, and leave under a pile of more heavy books.
- Leave for 2-3 weeks! Patience is a virtue and the reward is so worth it. Removing them too early (even when they look lovely) can result in them browning. Use tweezers to move particularly
Ideas for artworks:
- Once pressed, your flowers can be mounted onto watercolour paper using PVA glue for cards or framing. My tip is to use an extra dry brush to position the petals once laid.
- Why not take inspiration from herbaria, writing the flower name and pressing date in the bottom corner?
- Sunlight shining through pressed flowers is beautiful. Pressings could be laid in a decorative pattern in a double-sided glass frame, to create a
This story originally appeared on House & Garden UK.