I’m amazed that this technique isn’t more popular. My mom had heard of it. She used to teach preschool, and they had little ‘sun print’ kits that they used with the kids. Most of my photographer and artist friends have heard of it, but never tried it. Almost everyone else gives me a blank stare when I say the word ‘cyanotype’.
Cyanotype printing is one of the oldest photographic techniques and dates back to 1842! From the Jacquard Products website: “an inexpensive method for reproducing photographs, documents, maps and plans (hence the enduring architectural term “blueprint”) and famously, for making impressions of biological specimens in the field (“photograms”).”
The solution is made with Potassium Ferricyanide - a red iron salt, and Ferric Ammonium Citrate - a light-sensitive iron salt. It comes as a powder in two separate bottles. Add water to the bottles and mix in equal parts. It is non-toxic and one of the most earth friendly photo printing methods.
If you’re a science nerd like me, you can read more about the chemical processes here. I’ll explain as best as I can. In short, the solution is painted on paper or fabric, then materials are placed on top. This can be any material that casts a shadow including botanical specimens and photo negatives on transparent film. When exposed to UV light the areas not covered by material oxidize. After 5-30 minutes in the sun, the print is rinsed in water. A chemical reaction occurs when rinsed, and the exposed areas turn a deep blue.
made with photo negative film (moon) and pressed wildflowers
I took a workshop at The Myriad Gardens in OKC back in February. I was feeling stuck in my creative practice. I had started collecting fallen leaves and feathers and incorporating them into my resin work. I had seen the cyanotype technique used by other local artists and was intrigued. I didn’t realize how simple it actually was. After the workshop I was hooked. I started making my own prints at home in my backyard using paper that already had watercolor on it. I also tried a lot of paper cut-outs early on.
made with paper bird cut-out, sea oats and grass, layered on watercolor painting, March 2022
made with paper bird cut-out, grass and sticks, layered on watercolor painting, March 2022
I quickly realized how intricate I could make these prints. Every little crack in a leaf or tiny flower was shown in great detail. I started arranging materials in specific patterns and then brought some conceptual ideas in. I’ll talk more about those concepts in my next post. For now enjoy these images of cyanotypes from the last few months.
I currently only have cyanotype bookmarks available through my online shop. But you can find my cyanotype prints at DNA Galleries and Jennifer Woods in OKC. If you see anything on my site that catches your eye, please CONTACT me and we can chat.
made with wildflowers, April 2022
made with wildflowers, April 2022
made with weeds from my backyard and redbud leaves from Guthrie, arranged in the shape of a uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries, May 2022
made with mimosa leaves and flowers, June 2022
made with mimosa leaves, clover and hibiscus pods, July 2022
made with decaying and bug eaten leaves, hibiscus and rose of Sharon pods, July 2022