Sue Reno Studio: Experiments in wet cyanotype

September 5, 2018

Experiments in wet cyanotype - part 30

Wow, here I am at part 30 of my experiments in wet cyanotype! It's been a fun ride so far, and I remain as fired up about the process as I was when I first started. Big thanks to everyone who has followed along so far.

I did a fairly straightforward batch of wet cyan prints, with an eye to the changing of the seasons starting to limit my plant availability. But realistically, the weather is still terrifically hot and humid here in PA, and this batch printed up in a fashion typical of mid summer. I used hosta leaves and a sprig of comfrey for the first three.

I then tried some big old dandelion leaves that had made themselves at home in a flowerbed. It's been too beastly out to do much gardening, so this counted as weeding.

I rounded out the batch with a wood poppy leaf, and a twig from my ninebark shrub. For some of them I added some washing soda solution, and on others a bit of very dilute red textile paint,

The cyanotype colors broke down quickly and beautifully.

I let them expose for about 6 hours in the bright sun and high heat.

These are the prints after exposure and before rinsing. They are looking beautiful and promising.

That red paint moves around in very unpredictable ways. I love what it's done here.

And here are the finished prints, keepers and small delights all.

I love the much maligned dandelions in general; I've made wine with the blossoms, and eaten the greens in the spring. Now I can add printmaking fodder to their list of laudable qualities.