The weather has been consistently dry for a couple of weeks and the edge of the river has been very accessible, as it hasn’t been too muddy.

Using a small sketch book and taking small found objects from the banks, I filled several pages back to back. Some of the things were thick, small branches and twigs, not too bulky, however with depth. Some of the smaller leaves, I tried to consciously lay them flat and with some order.

I wasn’t able to quite finish the book as it became too bulky. What I had, I pressed together with two pieces of an old kitchen tile. This was tied tightly with wound string. I safely suspended the sketch in the river for a few days.

The results were remarkably surprising. The layers of depth, texture and colour were more than I could have hoped for. I expected more of a silt brown background with a few marks. What was actually achieved was a variety of colours and tonal depth.

These were a few of the presses that for me were the most interesting. There are hues of blue and green showing which must have come from the pressing of the leaves and smaller branches.

While the weather is still dry I shall repeat this process but add in some liquid water colour.