The Art of Pressed Flowers and Leaves | techniques & designs

‘Sure to spark renewed interest in the dying art of flower pressing.’ Dumfries and Galloway Life

The Art of Pressed Flowers and Leaves is a ground-breaking guide from leading botanical artist Jennie Ashmore. As our appreciation for the natural world continues to grow, this book shows how to make the most of the revived craft of pressed-flower art. It covers everything from selecting plants such as roses, oak leaves and seaweed, to the various ways of pressing them, creating balanced designs, using colour effectively, and combining pressed flowers with watercolour, gouache, painted backgrounds, and gold and silver paper.

Jennie Ashmore shares practical insights from her years of experience, including how to use the ribs of leaves to create pattern and movement, how to press both sides of a leaf, and how to capture the seasons within a single artwork. Templates are provided to help you begin, and a plant directory shows how different species appear once pressed.

Beautifully presented and full of creative inspiration, this book brings a traditional craft into a fresh and contemporary expression for crafters, artists and nature lovers.

About the Author: Jennie Ashmore studied painting and printmaking at Exeter College of Art and has worked in art education, environmental conservation and gardening. Her work is deeply rooted in the natural world, with a strong focus on pattern and geometry. She teaches workshops, sells her artwork and is based in Galloway, Scotland.