Experimental Cyanotypes

 

Following on from last weeks blue post, more blue!  This time cyanotypes rather than indigo.

Most people will recognise cyanotypes as a dry process where the light reactive solution is painted on the paper and left to dry before objects are placed on top in the sunshine to leave marks and then the paper is rinsed leaving a (hopefully) pretty blue and white print.

Starting the reaction

So this summer I have been having a bit of a play with this.  But I also signed up for Natalie Day's online Experimental Cyanotypes course which showed me how to play with cyanotype wet.

In this instance you apply the solution to the paper and add things like salt, lemon juice or vingar straight away and stick it outside to see what happens.

After a couple of hours

 

In this case the paper doesn't get rinsed as this would remove the salt etc and stop the reactions.  So you have to keep an eye on it as it changes.  If there are any bits you like it's best to take a photo there and then as it will keep changing.  It was quite remarkable seeing it change.  Even days later the colours were still changing.

After a couple of days

 

Once again (like the eco printing and indigo dyeing) this is a process where you really have no idea what might happen.  You just have to put it out there and be open to what happens.  I loved watching it as it changed and the colours that came through were brilliant, but with all these processes I think I will struggle a little to decide what to do with them as, hard as I try I do tend to be quite outcomes led.  I will need to leave myself time to play, rather than worry about what comes out I think.

If you're interested it's a great little course, giving you all the information you need to have a go and some ideas of what you might do with it too.  I'm glad I signed up.