Nature Printing With Herbs, Fruits & Flowers - Hardcover

Bethmann, Laura Donnelly

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 088266929X ISBN 13: 9780882669298

Publisher: Storey Books, 1996

Synopsis

Nature printing, or recreating images from the natural world, is a direct, inexpensive process with possibilities as varied as nature itself. Apply ink or paint to leaves, flowers, herbs, or fruit and print life-sized images onto paper, fabric, and other surfaces to create captivating works of art.

In full-color, simple instructions, NATURE PRINTING covers tools, techniques, and tips for dozens of beautiful projects, including printed fabric for curtains, pillows, linens, quilts, and clothing; stationery, cards, and invitations; nature journals; and more. The book includes instructions for decorative finishes and frames, and it offers nature printing projects for children.

About this title

About the Author

The works of artist Laura Donnelly Bethmann appear in corporate and private collections all over the northeastern United States, London and Paris. Her watercolor paintings, nature prints, drawings and calligraphy have been commissioned through interior designers, galleries and art shows. Laura is primarily self-taught and has been self-employed since 1982. Her artistic knowledge is prevalent and helpful in her Storey Book, Nature Printing with Herbs, Fruits & Flowers. Laura has also co-authored a book filled with beautiful branch and twig projects called Rustic Accents For Your Home.

Laura has taught courses and workshops in painting, drawing, calligraphy, and many other medias. She presents demonstrations and workshops at garden centers, women's clubs, museums, art organizations and college art departments, among other locations. Laura is an active member in The Nature Printing Society in Santa Barbara, California. She has appeared on Home Matters (Discovery Channel) and The Carol DuVoll Show (HGTV). She lives and works in her home studio in New Jersey where she lives with her husband and two daughters.

From the Back Cover

Praise for Nature Printing

" Stuff you usually compost or toss out with nary a second thought could actually be transformed into things of beauty. Nature Printing is simple and you don't have to have much in the way of esoteric or expensive materials to make frame-worthy prints, handmade stationery, or gift wrap." --Newsday

"I mastered one project after a five minute flip through the book. The photos and drawings are wonderfully easy to follow. I proceeded to decorate every envelope in the house. I couldn't stop! My daughter and I stamped through the entire house." --Darragh Doiron in the Port Arthur (TX) News

"Just looking at this book makes you want to collect supplies and get to work. This is one of the most beautiful books I have seen." --The Chagrin Falls (OH) Valley Times

"Author Laura Donnelly Bethmann has done a wonderful job of revealing the methods behind a centuries-old craft that still appeals to the young and old, regardless of artistic ability." --Akron (OH) Beacon Journal

"Bethmann has discovered the real connection between the creative self-expression evident in both gardening and painting, and has recognized how nature printing links them both." --Manchester (CT) Journal Inquirer

" Stuff you usually compost or toss out with nary a second thought could actually be transformed into things of beauty. Nature Printing is simple and you don't have to have much in the way of esoteric or expensive materials to make frame-worthy prints, handmade stationery, or gift wrap." --Newsday

"I mastered one project after a five minute flip through the book. The photos and drawings are wonderfully easy to follow. I proceeded to decorate every envelope in the house. I couldn't stop! My daughter and I stamped through the entire house." --Darragh Doiron in the Port Arthur (TX) News

"Just looking at this book makes you want to collect supplies and get to work. This is one of the most beautiful books I have seen." --The Chagrin Falls (OH) Valley Times

"Author Laura Donnelly Bethmann has done a wonderful job of revealing the methods behind a centuries-old craft that still appeals to the young and old, regardless of artistic ability." --Akron (OH) Beacon Journal

"Bethmann has discovered the real connection between the creative self-expression evident in both gardening and painting, and has recognized how nature printing links them both." --Manchester (CT) Journal Inquirer

Reviews

Nature prints are made by inking natural objects and applying them to cloth or paper in much the same way as taking fingerprints. In this wide-ranging manual of nature-printing techniques and projects, Bethmann explores a variety of techniques using inks, paint, or natural plant juices to decorate stationery, herbals, fabric pieces, and garments. A section on design and layout as it applies to leaves and flowers is included, and some unusual natural objects such as mushrooms and garden vegetables are also used. There are even instructions for traditional Japanese fish printing.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Printing attractive images from plant materials is an art form that demands little of an individual in terms of technical expertise or training, yet the results can be remarkably gratifying. Bethmann's informative introductory manual could easily generate renewed interest in the natural world, as she suggests ways to collect and press flowers, leaves, and other types of specimens. A stimulating range of approaches to applying color is featured in a step-by-step format that illustrates printing methods for watercolors, inks, powdered pigments, and various oil-based media. Basic design elements are explored as they relate to the creation of such projects as unique stationery, nature studies, gift wrapping paper, decorated clothing, and other fabric items. Alice Joyce

Edition details

• Publisher: Storey Books
• Publication date: 1996
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 088266929X
• ISBN 13: 9780882669298
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 90