Leaf Monoprint Process 7 - Steam

Put one inch or more of water in the roasting pan, and bring the water to a boil.  Place the bundle of paper and leaves on top of the rack in the pan, over the boiling water.  Weight the top of the stack with bricks.  I use an additional rack on top of the bundle to distribute the weight more evenly.



Place the cover on the roasting pan, and steam the bundle for two hours.



After one hour, I like to flip the stack of paper upside down, to distribute moisture throughout the stack.  This is when you will need heavy gloves.  The steam is extremely hot, as are the bricks and the stack of paper.  Use caution when handling.


After two hours, turn off the heat, and let the pan, water, and bundle of paper and leaves cool overnight before opening.