Inspiration / Designer's Journal / Easy Arts & Crafts: Flower Pressed Painting

Easy Arts & Crafts: Flower Pressed Painting

By Elizabeth Yunmi Published On
Overhead view of a craft workspace with flowers, paintbrushes, a paint cup and a hand-painted botanical on paper

Welcome to Arts & Crafts Week at Schoolhouse Summer Camp, opens in a new tab — a seasonal series intent on bringing joyful nostalgia to the everyday through fun childhood-inspired activities and recipes.

Earlier, Schoolhouse friend (turned camp counselor) Jorie shared her ice dyeing, opens in a new tab and potato printing, opens in a new tab how-to. Next up, we have a classic craft that is super fun and easy to execute. Below, Alex shares a floral-forward art project that feels oh-so-right for these warm summer days. Read on (or watch here, opens in a new tab) to learn how to make a DIY flower-pressed painting.

SUPPLIES:

  • Canvas

  • Acrylic paints (or paint of choice)

  • Paintbrushes

  • Flowers of your choice

  • Parchment paper (not wax paper)

  • Heavy microwave-safe dish

  • Spray adhesive

  • Frame for canvas (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Paint a Design

Start by painting a design onto your canvas or paper using your paint of choice. We used canvas and acrylic paint for this craft, but watercolors (with durable watercolor paper) work nicely too!

Overhead view of a blank canvas and two paintbrushes with paint blobs and flowers on a brown tabletop

2. Press Flowers

While your piece dries, press the flowers by sandwiching them between parchment paper. Place a heavy microwave-safe dish on top of the flowers and microwave them for 1-2 minutes (smaller flowers only need a minute).

Foraged flowers in various colors on a table for a flower pressing craft

Pressed flowers in parchment paper


3. Adhere Flowers to Art

Use spray adhesive to attach the pressed flowers to your artwork. We found it works best if you spray on the back of the flower to adhere to your canvas.

Pressed flowers being glued to a simple painting on canvas

4. Dry + Frame

Once dry, frame the final piece behind glass to preserve it for the long haul. Hang and enjoy!

Pressed flowers adhered to a painting of a plant in a blue pot on canvas.

Framed acrylic painting with pressed flowers hung over a vintage dresser.

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Photography by Alex Creswell, opens in a new tab

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