Printing with light

If you live locally, keep an eye on what's going on at The Artery in the middle of Worcester. It's such a vibrant place full of creative people and a whole variety of exhibitions and classes. I have to say, I hadn't even considered cyanotype printing when I'd thought about what to do for my 50 projects. But a free taster session... well, might as well give it a go.

We're handed an unassuming piece of watercolour paper with a dull area of dried cyanotype solution that's been painted in the middle and asked to place a few leaves on top. And then we leave it out in the sun for about 20 minutes - luckily it was quite sunny - and it becomes a dull patch with some interesting shapes. And then we wash it... and that's when the magic happens! I guess that's what cyanotype is known for - it's lovely blue colour, but it just comes to life and there's so much more detail there than you might be expecting. Now I'm curious...

Cyanotype printing - exposing the printCyanotype print before washingCyanotype prints drying

 

So the next day I order the cyanotype kit - 2 different liquids that combine to make a light sensitive solution - Ferric Ammonium Citrate and Potassium Ferricyanide. The solution is painted on to thick watercolour paper and left to dry in the dark (thank goodness we still have an airing cupboard) and I can now make cyanotypes whenever I like.

Exposing a cyanotype printProcessed cyanotype printCyanotype prints of different grassesShowing the detail of a cyanotype print

 

This project is ongoing as it's so easy to do and the results are so pretty. 

Information : :

The class was run by Louise Cromar: Instagram louisecromarcyanotypes

which accompanied the exhibition on display at The Artery by Epha J. Roe: Instagram ephajroe

Visit The Artery Studios website here >>

The cyanotype kit is by Jacquard and is most readily available from Amazon.

 

Contact Me

I live and work in Worcester in the UK. If you'd like to email me sayhello@karendewson.com