17 Augu 333 1113
KITLIST
The right brush ▲ ▲
To apply the solution onto your
paper avoid a brush with a
metal ferrule, as these can
react with the cyanotype
chemicals. Instead use a foam
or hake brush or glass rod.Chemicals
There are many different
companies that sell
cyanotype chemicals.
The two you need
are ammonium
ferric citrate and
potassium ferricyanide.Technique
A
cyanotype is a
photographic
process that
involves exposing
a chemically coated paper or
material to the sun (UV light)
with an object, objects, or
image over the top to create an
artistic result. The two main
chemicals used in the process
are ammonium ferric citrate
and potassium ferricyanide.
What you’re left with is a rather
gorgeous blue-tone eff ect.
A man called Sir John
Herschel invented the
cyanotype process, and his
discovery came about while
experimenting with some oldpieces of chemical paper.
However, it is Anna Atkins,
a botanist and Herschel’s
daughter, whose name
we still associate with the
medium today. Anna spent
many years recording diff erent
species of plants and fl owers,
documenting their sizes and
form using the cyanotype
method. Some of these
amazing cyanotypes are still
in the archives at the Victoria
and Albert Museum in London
and can be viewed by anyone
on request.
Despite only discovering
the process in the past year,
creative photographer andSummer
blues
Claire Gillo goes on a journey to
discover the art of cyanotypes with
Jo Stephen and Glenys Garnett
© GLENYS GARNETT
© JO STEPHEN
Welsh poppy wet
cyanotype with
soap and vinegar on
Bristol board paper