As someone who’s navigated the choppy waters of life with the grace of a cat on a hot tin roof, I’ve embarked on numerous hobbies with the enthusiasm of a teenager and the follow-through of... well, a cat on a hot tin roof. My latest adventure? Cyanotype photography. Yes, dear reader, I decided to dip my toes into the deep, indigo-dyed waters of this photographic printing process, and I'm here to tell you all about it—spills, thrills, and all.
What on Earth is Cyanotype?
For the uninitiated, cyanotype is a photographic printing process that produces prints in a range of blues, from the softest whispers of sky at dawn to the deep, mysterious blues of the ocean’s depths. It was invented in the early 19th century by Sir John Herschel (not to be confused with his father, the astronomer William Herschel, who discovered Uranus—clearly, a family of underachievers).
The process involves two chemicals (ferric ammonium citrate and potassium ferricyanide) that, when mixed together and exposed to UV light, develop into that gorgeous blue. It sounded simple enough and decidedly less hazardous than my brief flirtation with welding sculptures from scrap metal (a story for another day).
Gathering Supplies: The Hunt Begins
Equipped with my newfound knowledge and a burning desire to create something beautiful (or at least, recognizably artistic), I set out to gather my supplies. This quest took me to the exotic lands of the local craft store and the mysterious realms of online shopping. I acquired the chemicals, some watercolor paper (apparently, it holds up better to the process), a few brushes, and an assortment of objects to create prints with—leaves, lace, and even a particularly interesting piece of spaghetti (don’t ask).
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Making Magic (or a Mess)
The process, dear friends, is where the true adventure begins. After mixing my chemicals with the precision of a chemist (or, more accurately, a woman who occasionally measures ingredients for baking), I set about coating the paper in my dimly lit kitchen (the solution is light-sensitive, after all).
Let me just say, evenly coating paper with a brush is an art form in itself—one that I have not mastered. My first few attempts looked less like artistic endeavors and more like the aftermath of a smurf sneeze. But I persevered, laying my objects on the treated paper and setting it out in the sun (UV light, remember?).
The Big Reveal
The anticipation of waiting for the print to develop under the sun was akin to watching paint dry, but with the added excitement of unpredictable results. After what felt like an eternity (but was actually just a couple of hours), I washed off the unexposed chemicals to reveal... well, something that could charitably be described as abstract art (TIP: Use a wee bit of hydrogen peroxide in the water to speed up the washing process).
But, as with all good hobbies, the beauty was in the process (or so I kept telling myself). Each print had its unique charm and, with practice, I began producing pieces that I was genuinely proud to display. My pièce de résistance? A beautifully detailed lace print that now hangs in my living room, a testament to the joys of diving into new hobbies, no matter your age or skill level.
Lessons Learned
What have I learned from my foray into cyanotype? Firstly, that patience is indeed a virtue, especially when waiting for sunlight to work its magic. Secondly, that there’s a profound joy in creating something with your own hands, even if it doesn’t turn out exactly as you envisioned. And lastly, that hobbies, like life, are about the journey, not just the destination.
So, to my fellow middle-aged adventurers out there, I say: why not give cyanotype a try? Dive into the blue, make a glorious mess, and maybe, just maybe, you’ll create something beautiful along the way. After all, if I can do it, anyone can. Just remember to wear gloves unless you want to explain to your friends why your hands are a peculiar shade of blue for the next several weeks.
Here is a link to a good beginners guide: https://www.blueridgebotanic.com/blog/cyanotypetutorial
Happy printing!
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