Cyanotypes

During my workshops you will learn about the process of this beautiful, magical blue Cyanotypes. We will explore the fauna and flora of green spaces, choose and design prints using flowers, leaves, grasses, bits and bobs. You will never look at a weeds in the same way again!

Sometimes my workshops are outside in woodlands or allotments, sometimes within coffee shops or inside spaces. Wherever they are I hope to bring to you a relaxing, and creative environment for discovery!

Cyanotypes – a very brief intro

Cyanotypes were Invented by British Astrologer Sir John Herschel (1792-1871) in 1841. He was trying to find a way to duplicate his notes.

Herschel managed to fix pictures using hyposulphite of soda as early as 1839.

The cyanotype process was a low-cost method to produce copies of drawings for engineers well into the 20 century – commonly known as blueprints.

He also invented the words photography, negative, positive, and snapshot!

This process was popular in Victorian England but as the photographic process became more sophisticated the photogram/cyan print was used mainly by artists.

Anna Atkins, British Photographer and botanist helped to bring the process its popularity. She was the first person to produce an illustrated book (British Algae: Cyanotype impressions - 1843) using photographic illustrations, back then they were known as shadowgraphs.

In modern times we make cyanotypes by combining two chemicals: Ferric ammonium citrate (a green powder) and potassium ferricyanide (red crystals). This substance when mixed is sensitive to ultraviolet light (sunlight). Once exposed the paper is then simply rinsed off and settled in water resulting in Prussian blue prints.