This makes so much sense when you explain it! I have been getting bleeding in my experimental prints but I was using fresh leaves.I was wondering what on earth I was doing to cause this. Thank you!!!! Can’t wait to do the rest of the course with you. Just a wee excited!
Hai Louise.. this morning i opened my bucket of water fill in with leaves.. and changed the water. but i noticed that the leaves are so soft, and i couldn’t even hold on to it.. it breaks.. any advice?
How long have you been soaking the leaves for? And what sort are they? Usually when leaves are breaking apart they have soaked for too long- for some species this can even be after a few days like with herb robert, while other leaves can be soaked for a month or more, no problem.
It’s more to do with the leaf type than the amount of water. You probably have quite different rose varieties growing up there. I’d suggest trying to eco-print with them fresh and seeing how they come out. I’m looking forward to seeing your results with the teak leaves
Yes, no problem. I store leaves together unless they need different soaking times, or if I want to keep track of leaves from a certain tree to see how they print.
Yes, that’s normal, though you can change the water regularly to prevent that. A tight fitting lid isn’t necessary, it just helps to reduce mould growth.
Hi – I just started your course and I am very excited. I have old dry eucalyptus leaves – I guess can I use them after soaking? for how long do they need to soak?
Yes, just soak them until they soften. Dried leaves can be a bit unreliable compared to fresh – sometimes they give great colour and sometimes not. So if you get pale results don’t be discouraged, just try again with some other leaves.
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This makes so much sense when you explain it! I have been getting bleeding in my experimental prints but I was using fresh leaves.I was wondering what on earth I was doing to cause this. Thank you!!!! Can’t wait to do the rest of the course with you. Just a wee excited!
I’m so glad that helped, Susan. It’s something I do differently to most eco-printers, and it really can improve results.
Hai Louise..
this morning i opened my bucket of water fill in with leaves.. and changed the water. but i noticed that the leaves are so soft, and i couldn’t even hold on to it.. it breaks.. any advice?
How long have you been soaking the leaves for? And what sort are they? Usually when leaves are breaking apart they have soaked for too long- for some species this can even be after a few days like with herb robert, while other leaves can be soaked for a month or more, no problem.
i started to soak it within a week. the one that breaks are rose leaves, teak leaves are hanging on. or maybe too much water?
It’s more to do with the leaf type than the amount of water. You probably have quite different rose varieties growing up there. I’d suggest trying to eco-print with them fresh and seeing how they come out. I’m looking forward to seeing your results with the teak leaves
Thank you Louise..
Hi Louise
Can I put different kinds of leaves in one bucket?
Yes, no problem. I store leaves together unless they need different soaking times, or if I want to keep track of leaves from a certain tree to see how they print.
I guess its ok if the leaves get slimy and stinky? Also, I don’t have a tight fitting lid, is that a problem? Thanks!
Yes, that’s normal, though you can change the water regularly to prevent that. A tight fitting lid isn’t necessary, it just helps to reduce mould growth.
What kind of bucket or container do you use?
I like to use a bucket with a lid – old bulk food containers work well. For smaller amounts of leaves, jars are a good option.
Hi – I just started your course and I am very excited.
I have old dry eucalyptus leaves – I guess can I use them after soaking? for how long do they need to soak?
Yes, just soak them until they soften. Dried leaves can be a bit unreliable compared to fresh – sometimes they give great colour and sometimes not. So if you get pale results don’t be discouraged, just try again with some other leaves.