Cyanotype Printmaking

Join CSSC for a fascinating day of cyanotype printmaking on paper and textiles – a fascinating darkroom-free photography process. Learn a variety of techniques and produce a collection of stunning blue prints using just daylight and everyday objects. The cyanotype process is one of the earliest photographic processes and produces an ethereal cyan blue print.

We’ll spend the day learning how to coat our paper and create prints using the traditional dry method, and also get experimental with new wet cyanotype processes using materials you can easily find in the supermarkets.  You will be shown how to mix the chemicals, coat your paper and once dry how to expose your images using both daylight and UV lights. You will have plenty of opportunity to experiment and we will look at different ways to create images including making photograms with plants and flowers, using photographic negatives as well as drawing and mark making onto acetate. We’ll begin with experimenting on paper then move on to creating images on a variety of upcycled textiles. You are welcome to bring your own materials to experiment on, white and pale colours work best.

We will cover a brief history of the process, look at examples of artists who work with the cyanotype process and explain the materials you need to get started. This type of printing is unique in that it is a form of photography that does not require a camera or a darkroom meaning you can replicate what you have learned on the course at home.

You’ll walk away from this fascinating day of learning and creating with a set of stunning prints that you can frame, collage, or bind into books (see our upcoming bookbinding courses!). And if you’re hooked make sure to pick up one of our Cyanotyope Kits in the gallery on the way out.