What is botanical bas-relief?
Botanical Bas-Relief is an art form that captures fine veins and the delicate textures of the plants. There is a sense of perspective, depth and movement.
The process of botanical bas-relief
This art form starts with a slab of clay. Fresh botanicals such as flowers or tree branches
are pressed into the clay and then removed to give a very detailed imprint. Fine grade plaster is then poured over this.
To get a finer finished piece I take this first relief and edit it by sanding, filling and shaping. Once visually successful, I create a silicone mold and pour a final relief with hangers for wall display.
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Adding a finish to the piece
This final piece is sanded and then painted. Some finishes contain metals that verdigris with acid. Others are hand layered with oil-based, acrylic color and paint containing metals . Each piece is then sealed.
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