Are you interested in exploring natural plant dyes and the eco-print technique on paper? Whether you are a complete beginner, or already familiar with eco-printing on fabric, this ebook provides an in-depth guide to each step of the process.
You will learn about different paper types and the options of preparing them with metal and soy mordants, or adding iron and dye blankets on top. There are pages exploring different types of leaves and flowers that give good results on paper. This ebook also covers different options for bundling and cooking, some pointers for improving pale prints, and suggestions for how to use your beautiful eco-printed paper. At the end is a recipe section with step by step instructions for 4 special projects, including discharge printing.
After purchase, you will be sent an email receipt which contains your download link. This sometimes ends up in people’s spam folders so if you can’t find it please check there (preferably via a computer rather than smartphone).
Testimonials
Amazing ebook. You have taken the mystery out of a subject that I have become fascinated with, explaining in useful easy terms how to get the best out of your work. – Sherril
I purchased your ebook on ecoprinting paper – it was the best 84 pages I have ever read. Thank you. – Rosemary
2 reviews for Plant Poetry (ebook)
Rated 5 out of 5
Jakki –
An inspiring and beautiful book! I only wish I lived in a place with eucalyptus trees, but Louise shows, clearly and with well-written instructions, how to use other plant matter to make beautiful prints. Not only does she share several dyeing methods, but she also teaches us how to find the paper we like best and the value of using scrap paper. A very valuable addition to my eco-printing library, right up there with India Flint, but even more accessible!
Rated 5 out of 5
Lisa –
So much information on leaves, paper, mordanting and printing, and so well presented with clear instructions. Thanks to Louise’s guidance in this book, I’ve been able to produce some lovely prints.
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There are beginner options for both ebooks and ecourses, while my ecourses also offer some advanced options. Some of the information crosses over both, but there is also unique information in both. So it really comes down to your personal preference. Perhaps you prefer learning through videos or through reading. Or perhaps you will enjoy supplementing the learning from one with the other.
At the top of the page, click ‘Log in’Â and then ‘My courses’. Click on the course you want to begin, then choose any lesson to get started. To track your progress through each course, click the ‘complete’ button at the bottom of each lesson as you go.
After purchasing, you can download the ebook from my website straight away. You will also be emailed a download link. If you have trouble downloading on a phone, please try again on a tablet or desktop computer.
You can also find your ebook purchases in your profile dashboard after you log in – click the ‘ebook’ tab. If you ever lose your pdf, come here to re-download it.Â
The main processes or techniques are taught through video lessons. There are also written notes and photographs to supplement your learning. You can ask questions on each lesson and there is also email support if you need it.
It’s not secret that eucalyptus leaves are my favourite. But all of my ecourses also cover a range of other leaves from around the world, including maple, rose and blackberry. In the Intro to Cotton module, I also guide you in how to choose and test additional plants that might have eco-printing potential.
The content of the Intro to Cotton Living Colour module overlaps with this ebook and my workshops, although there is some new content too. All the other modules cover new techniques that I haven’t shared elsewhere. For example – different mordants and binders, dye blankets and iron blankets, additional ways to fold bundles, and methods of combining eco-printing and shibori techniques on both wool and cotton.
The Iso Dye Club has some overlap with my Plant Poetry ebook, but there is plenty of new content in there too.
If you want to learn how to eco-print on cotton, Gum Leaf Alchemy is definitely the one to start with. Although it focuses on eucalyptus leaves, it also gives step by step instructions for the entire process. The Leaf Guide has been written as a follow up guide which delves into each of the 25 leaves, but assumes this prior knowledge of the process.
Leaf and Colour is perfect if you want to combine eco-printing and natural dyeing techniques, or to use soy milk binder. And if you are looking to work with paper rather than fabric, check out Plant Poetry.
Besides the Spanish version of Gum Leaf Alchemy, I don’t have any other translations available yet, sorry! If you would like to use Google Translate, after purchase I can send you a special text document for this purpose.
Most of the plants covered are not Australian natives and I have intentionally chosen plants from different regions of the world. That said, there is a focus on those that grow in temperate climates.
Most of the method covered in Gum Leaf Alchemy also works on wool or silk. The main difference is that cotton needs mordanting while animal fibres don’t. You can still use a mordant on animal fibres if you want darker colours but go easy as too much iron mordant can damage them. Silk and wool also need longer cooking times than cotton, of about 2 hours. Finally, fresh leaves are often better for wool and silk, whereas I often soak my leaves when dyeing on cotton. If you are interested in eco-printing on wool, check out my ‘Wool and Shibori’ ecourse.
Jakki –
An inspiring and beautiful book! I only wish I lived in a place with eucalyptus trees, but Louise shows, clearly and with well-written instructions, how to use other plant matter to make beautiful prints. Not only does she share several dyeing methods, but she also teaches us how to find the paper we like best and the value of using scrap paper. A very valuable addition to my eco-printing library, right up there with India Flint, but even more accessible!
Lisa –
So much information on leaves, paper, mordanting and printing, and so well presented with clear instructions. Thanks to Louise’s guidance in this book, I’ve been able to produce some lovely prints.