I experimented with two types of printing methods, one following the same steps as my last attempt but with the addition of alum powder. This was something I was missing in my last attempt. apparently it draws the colours and the tannin from the leaves.
And the second something I thought of when doing the first experiment , I thought I could achieve a similar result if I pressed leaves between alum soaked fabric with an iron and the steam would force the tannin out of the leaves.
This was from the steaming method,
I got fairly impatient with this, I got excited and saw the bright colours that developed in the steam and took it of the heat too soon so the patterns left from the leaves are fairly faint. if I were to do this again I would let it steam for a couple of hours.
This was the ironing method,
I was extremely happy with these prints, I got a very accurate print of the walnut leaves. the only issue I found was the other leaves I had picked didn’t translate very well onto the fabric and some areas were fairly dull or empty. if I were to do this again I would want to research plants that contain tannin so that the prints can be as vivid as the walnut leaves.
Lara Hoad Artist Designer: Maker 