Cyanotype on Fabric and Paper

Come and learn this fun basic photography process on paper, fabrics, leather (BYO) or surprise me with something to experiment on!

MORNING

We will be mixing our own chemical liquids, coating our own materials, and exposing with this basic photography process using UV lights in studio. Though if you feel like stepping outside if it's a sunny day, you are welcome to attempt it.

Bringing in items to use to block the light is recommended. Make sure they are as Flat as possible. You can even bring your own paint brushes with you to get creative with your coating technique. Film negatives or printed acetate will work too!

Students will be given a few samples materials (that probably will include a bandana and papers), but are highly encouraged to bring at least one fabric piece and a handful of paper to coat. The paper should be a medium to thick weight, similar to watercolor or printers paper. Too thin and it will break apart during the process. Make sure the fabric item is not too heavy a material so that it will dry in time to expose during class. Though if it does not, you can bring it home with you and expose on your own time (bringing a light tight bag recommended if this describes your item).*Size will be limited based on materials procured. Limit most likely 11x14 paper to Tshirt size item expected. The exposure unit can accommodate about 30" x 40" but the item might simply hang outside the pressing plate. I've exposure full garments, it just might take a few exposures and won't be precision perfect.

AFTERNOON

Students who attend the morning workshop are welcome to also sign up for this 2nd half. When you sign up at the same time a discount will automatically apply to your shopping cart. People who have previous experience are welcome to bring in cyanotypes to try out but we will also be coating fresh pieces too.

In the afternoon section of class you can continue to expose and continue to paint with the chemical solution.

Trays will be set up to experiment with toning solutions to alter the chemistry and change the color of the Prussian blue.

A thickener will be adding to the mixture to either give you more control painting ability or to silkscreen a better coating or patterns. Students are welcome to bring in their screens.

"The cyanotype is a slow-reacting, economical photographic printing formulation sensitive to a limited near ultraviolet and blue light spectrum, the range 300 nm to 400 nm known as UVA radiation. It produces a cyan-blue print used for art as monochrome imagery applicable on a range of supports, and for reprography in the form of blueprints." Wikipedia

Get inspired by this famous work!

https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/search/index?filters%5Bgenre_mtxt_s%5D%5B%5D=Photograms&keywords=&layout=false#/?scroll=149

I love the NYPL.....

Host or Publisher Karin Persan of Better Than Jam's Studio