Cyanotype - sun prints - how to basics

 Hi everyone. I hope you and yours are well. It has been a couple of weeks since I blogged. In that time I was busy getting ready for a Christmas market stall, and then my family and I all caught Covid so we have been isolating, and honestly not felt like doing much. Thankfully we haven't been too sick, and were able to get antiviral medication which I think helped a lot. Now I am just tired and lethargic. 

So just a brief post from me today. You might recall a recent photo of some blue coloured prints. That is cyanotype. 

Cyanotype is an antique photographic printing process distinctive for producing Prussian blue monochromatic prints. Developed in the mid-19th century

It is fun and easy and the resulting prints are archival. You can use leaves, flowers, feathers, any 3d object, film negatives, crumpled plastic, whatever you like really. 

First you need the two chemicals, a cyanotype kit, which can be purchased from art stores. I bought mine from an on-line company here in Australia. 

The basic instructions, which should come with the kit, is to fill the two bottles with water, shake to mix, then leave for 24 hours. 

In subdued lighting mix equal quantities of the two liquids in a bowl and paint onto your target paper - the liquid will be greeny yellow on the paper.  

I used a printmakers paper, but you can try all sorts of paper, and also cloth. But use a paper that can withstand washing. Only make enough mixture as you need as it is only usable for 2-4 hours. I use 1 tablespoon of each for a small batch.  

Then dry the papers in the dark. If not using the painted papers straight away, keep in a darkened envelope or box which light cannot get into. 

Lay your leaves , or whatever you choose onto the paper. I put a piece of cardboard behind and a piece of perspex or glass on top, and clamp down with bulldog clips. Clamping prevents movement of the leaves during processing which will cause blury prints. I salvaged a piece of glass from an old photo frame. 

Put out into the sun or other UV source. Leave for up to 30 minutes, depending on how sunny the day is. Over-exposue is better than under-exposure. Your paper will look bronze in colour after proper exposure. 

Rinse in a tray of water for about 5 minutes. 

and then leave to dry, but not in direct sunlight. 

I have been using my cyanotypes to make greeting cards - I thought these ferns look like Christmas trees - I've added other flowers to look like snow. 

And I also made this tote bag which sold at the market. This is a very useful fern I have in my garden. 

So there you have it. Just the basics of cyanotype. I am certianly not an expert. I still have other cyanotype avenues I want to experiemtn with - like wet cyanotypes.  You can find out more information by searching on the web. 

Here are a couple of suggestions to read further and find inspiration: Have fun and experiment! 

Kim Herringe - playing with Cyanotype

Instagram-Cyanotype masters

Instagram - Indigo Moth

Have you ever played with Cyanotype? - perhaps you would like to tello us about it in your comments. 

Thank you so much for stopping by. I value your comments and look forward to hearing from you. I will try to visit your blogs in return. Have a wonderful week. 
I am linking up to the link-ups below. Please click on the links to see fabulous contributions from around the world - virtual touring at its best!
   

Mosaic Monday @ Soul & Mind & So On
Sharon's Sovenirs 
Our World Tuesday
Pictorial Tuesday 
ThroughMy Lens 
Image-in-ing
My corner of the world through my camera 
Wednesday Around the World at Communal Global hosted by Randomosity. 
       and Little bird - Pienilintu
Thankful Thursday 
Welcome to Nature Thursday

Skywatch Friday

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