About cyanotype printing

What it is

Cyanotype printing is an alternative photography technique, also known as sun printing. It is an eco-friendly process that uses non-toxic, water soluble chemicals and natural sunlight. No camera needed!

How it started

Cyanotype printing was developed in 1842 by Sir John Herschel. It is the way that blueprints for construction were originally made. It was also used as a means of recording plant specimens by botanist Anna Atkins. This type of print is known as a photogram.

I make cyanotypes using the same process as was used 180 years ago. 

How it works

In a dark room, paper is coated with a photosensitive emulsion and left to dry. A 'negative' is created by arranging objects (such as leaves and flowers) on top of the paper. This must also be done away from natural light.

It is then placed in the sun to be 'exposed'. The paper is then 'developed' in water and can be toned with other solutions (such as tea, coffee or bleach).

The paper is then dried away from sunlight.

The process creates the beautiful blue colours that you will see in my artwork. 

Although it sounds easy it can be quite tricky to get a good image. There are so many variables at every step .. how well you coat the paper, how long you leave the paper to dry, the translucency of the objects you are using, the time it is left in the sun and the intensity of the sunlight. The list goes on...

 

What I love about it

For a start I have always been drawn to blue things. Just ask my husband who raises his eyebrows every time I come home with yet another blue top LOL. 

But I also love the excitement of seeing what image emerges in the water as the picture develops. You really never know what you are going to get.