Art Workshop – Pressed Flowers

Duration: 3 hrs

Join us at The Rivershop for a beautifully paced, seasonal art workshop led by guest teacher Botanica & Field, exploring the quiet craft of pressing flowers. Held in a light-filled studio at Thames-Side Studios, this hands-on session invites you to reconnect with nature, create something lasting, and learn the thoughtful techniques behind preserving flowers.

This is more than a craft session—it’s a chance to notice the details, work with the seasons, and make something meaningful with your hands. Whether you’re looking to begin a new creative practice or deepen your connection to plants, this workshop offers a relaxed, welcoming environment for all experience levels.

You’ll begin with an introduction to flower pressing—what to pick, when to harvest, and how to prepare different plant materials. Using our in-studio presses, you’ll press a small selection of fresh blooms during the class so you can learn the method through direct experience.

Alongside this, you’ll be working with a beautifully curated library of pressed botanicals gathered from previous harvests. These flowers and leaves have all been grown and pressed by Botanica & Field, using seasonal materials grown in UK gardens with great care. From delicate violas and cosmos to hellebores, ferns, herbs, and grasses, each botanical element has been thoughtfully preserved to retain its colour, form, and story.

You will Learn

As part of this flower pressing session, you’ll also learn the often-overlooked skill of colour correcting. You’ll be shown how to retain vibrancy, avoid browning, and enhance faded petals, so your final piece reflects the true beauty of each bloom. These professional techniques will allow you to continue flower pressing at home with confidence and creativity.

The second half of the workshop focuses on composition. With guidance from Botanica & Field, you’ll create a pressed flower artwork using fine tools, archival papers, specialist glue, and a full palette of botanical textures and tones. Whether your aesthetic is clean and minimal or wild and overgrown, you’ll be supported in shaping your own visual language.

You’ll also receive tips on layout, balance, and colour theory to help bring your composition to life. There’s plenty of room for individual expression, and the slow pace of the session gives you time to reflect, adjust, and enjoy the process.

Things to Remember

Please note that the course will take approximately 3 hours. Our classes may take longer than the time stated. We can only estimate how long each class takes and we do not want to rush students. Please allocate additional time after the class in case they overrun.

• Attire: Aprons will be provided; however, we recommend wearing old clothes and closed shoes.
• Parking: Free onsite parking is available. Drive up to the gates, and the security attendant will assist your entry.
• Public Transport: If using public transportation, the nearest train stations are Woolwich Dockyard (10-min walk), Woolwich Arsenal (bus: 5 mins – 161, 177, 180, 472 to Warspite Road), and North Greenwich (bus: 15 mins – 472 or 161 to Yateley Street).
• Timeliness: Entry to classes is not permitted 15 minutes after the listed start time. This policy ensures an uninterrupted lesson for all participants.
• Class Duration: Classes may exceed the stated time. Please allocate additional time after the class, as we prioritize a comprehensive learning experience and avoid rushing students.

Thank you for your understanding and commitment to punctuality. We look forward to welcoming you to The Rivershop and sharing the exciting world of Wildwood bench making with you! Come ready to create, learn, and explore the endless possibilities that our Wildwood bench making course has to offer.