The announcement of my class for WWPFG conference 2018

Some time ago I noticed this "coffee watercolor" when the artist uses coffee solution instead usual paint. On the internet you may find several artists that paint with coffee and see their amaizing arts. I thought that natural paint might be very good for combinating with the one of my favorite materials - brown pressed leaves under snow. I loved the result of this experimenting. The artwork made in brownish colors looks like a grisaille. It is beautiful and easy-to-make at the same time. So I've decided to show the applications of new idea at WWPFG conference that will be held in Bensalem (just outside of Philadelphia, PA), USA on March 1-4, 2018. During my class we will try to make a couple of pictures in this tehnique.

Another two pictures that I made by using the idea of painting with natural paint

   

I've just used hibiscus tea and coffee for making the background.

Please watch my short video annoucement. There is a little of the process. Also I invite everybody to attend the conference. The unique chance to visit two fabulous events will be this time. The  Philadelphia Flower Show is going to start right after the conference. And there will be the exhibition of competitive artworks by pressed flower artists from all the world!

Winter pictures class video tutorial (part 1) is available

I've completed part 1 for Winter picture class tutorial. It's one video file with English subtitles and pdf document with photos and short description.

This class tutorial is intended for beginners, for everybody who wants to learn basic skills of working with pressed plant material to create any images from it.

The class contains three parts and each part is more complicated than previous one. Each part includes one text tutorial for one winter landscape. Also you can watch the video tutorial for each part. In first part of the class you will learn:

- how to make the background for your artwork in simple way using watercolor (3 colors);

- how to prepare pressed banana skin;

- why I recommend to use brown leaves under snow for depicting trees and how to pick them up;

- how to cut and glue pressed plant material to make the branches of trees and bushes.

This tutorial is available for $10. You'll get the description and a link for downloading the video. Also you will have my explanations to any your questions.

Students works from March online class

My online class "Decorative Pictures in Vintage Style" is finished. This time my students did two decorative artworks of varying difficulty level. I was glad to have so many students that managed perfectly with their work. And it's always interesting for me to see how other people realize my idea with different materials.

Since I got positive responses to video format of the class tutorial, I will go on to work in this direction. 

How to treat banana skin for pressing, mini-tutorial (video)

I prepare new class for beginners where we will use pressed banana skin and leaves under snow that I like so much. To press banana skin is often the issue for beginners. If it turns out too thick, you can't glue it down entirely. Also the skin may get moldy for pressing. So I decided to make small video that is a part of another tutorial to help those who wants to start working with this perfect material.

March 2017 Professional Workshop "Decorative Pictures in Vintage Style" with video tutorials

I'll teach students at this online guild class during March.
In the class we will do two decorative pictures of varying difficulty level with the birdnests. This time I captured all principal working stages on video just to show how I make these things.  
 I explain in detail to the students:
-how they may do nice vintage background for their pressed flower art using laser-printed pictures, stencils and stamps;

- what plant materials to take for depicting realistic images;

- how to create different shapes (a birdnest, eggs, a bird, tree branches) using the pieces of plant material;
-  how to decorate a frame in the same style using simple methods and accessible materials.
The class is easy and intended for the beginners. If you come to understand the basic skills of working with the plant materials, you will be able to further to make any images from pressed leaves and flowers.
Besides of that these two pictures are perfect Easter presents for your family members and friends. 
I'll be glad to see you on my class!

How I make large branches (video)

Yes, at last I've done it! This is my first video. I'm preparing my March professional workshop and decided to catch on video the small part of my work. Hopefully it's clear even for a beginner at Pressed Flower Art.
For making trees and branches I like to use the leaves under snow. You can read in my article "Last year's leaves" why I take this material for imaging branches.
I prefer first to make large branches and trunks on separate piece of thin paper and then glue them down onto a picture. Next I complete other branches of the tree just right on my work.
The large branch that I make in this video is horizontal so the light falls down on it.

Sorry for unideal quality of my pilot video :)) I'll try to improve my skills in the future. And do not hesitate to ask me any questions.