Pyrography and Presssed Flora
Want to add a beautiful, natural touch to your pyrography art? Incorporating pressed flora is a fantastic way to elevate your designs!
Timing is everything when it comes to gathering your greenery. The absolute best time to collect and press foliage is during the spring, right before insects and harsh weather have a chance to tarnish them. You’ll want to press your pieces as soon as you head inside, well before they start to curl up and dry out.
When you’re ready to press, make sure your leaves, petals, and stems lie completely flat on your blotting paper. If you’re working with a thick stem, just slice it right down the middle so it sits flat. Leave about half an inch of space between each piece and then top it with another sheet of blotting paper. Sandwich each set between pieces of sturdy cardboard—most flower presses can easily handle several layers at once.
Now comes the test of patience! It usually takes about two to three weeks for everything to dry out completely. Once they’re ready, carefully pick them up with tweezers and store them between sheets of wax or parchment paper. Keep them safely tucked away from moisture and direct sunlight so they don’t fade or get moldy.
Here is a crucial tip: wait until you are 100% finished with your woodburning before you even think about adding your plants!
To start the mixed-media process, brush a thin coat of clear gesso over the entire wood surface. I love using a professional clear gesso because it dries to a perfectly transparent, matte finish, which keeps your beautiful woodburning fully visible underneath.
Any small, soft-hair synthetic brush will do the trick here. Grab your tweezers, gently press your flora into the wet gesso, and add a tiny bit more gesso right on top of each piece to lock it down. Let everything dry completely for at least 24 hours before you move on to your final finish.
To seal the artwork, I use artist-grade epoxy resin over the gesso and flora. This gorgeous glossy layer protects both your burn lines and your delicate plants from fading or peeling over time. Head over to my blog, Resin for Artists and Artisans, to get the full step-by-step guide on how I apply ArtResin!
Equipment List
Flower press: Make sure yours comes with sturdy cardboard pieces and plenty of blotting paper.
Tweezers: Essential for gently moving and placing your delicate, dried petals.
Clear gesso: Grab a professional clear version so your beautiful woodburning shows right through.
Synthetic soft-hair brush: A small one works best for smooth, gentle gesso application.
May you find inspiration while gathering blooms in your classic vintage garden!
