Montage

[normielass]

Hi I'm usually posting on the acrylic site but I thought that I might branch out a bit and try my hand at montages. I would like to incorporate some dried flowers/leaves etc into my paintings could someone please advise me on the best way to dry and preserve them? (is there anyway to preserve the colours?). I did think of coating them with pva glue after they'd dried but I don't know if this would work. Also what would be the best thing to adhere them to the board? Thanks. Sue

[Mary Woodul]

Welcome to Mixed Media! I found a link for you about drawing flowers and I hope it will help you. As for adhering them to the board, I would use an acrylic gel medium or PVA. Others might come up with a better reply, I hope.

We will be looking forward to seeing your work posted here.

http://homeschooling.about.com/od/ho...ingflowers.htm

[Jakeally]

You can dry flowers in silica beads or in a very low oven or in buches hung upside down. I have tried all these methods with varying success. The method that worked best for me was pressing the petals and leaves in a press in between blotting paper. This method kept the best colours too.
I used PVA glue to stick them down.
It's best to put any artwork you do behind glass as they can take moisture from the air and start decomposing. I'm not sure if PVA or Gel Medium would work as well but it is worth a try

[normielass]

Thank you both for your replies. At the moment I've just ideas for pictures going around in my head but I shall now make a start at drying somethings. My garden is in full bloom so I shalll start harvesting! Are silica beads readily available? I also seem to remember seeing some roses preserved some where by letting them take up glycerin and water after they'd been cut (like changing the colour of flowers by standing in coloured inks) anyone else heard of this method? Thanks once again and i shall post my first attempt!