Cyanotype &

Plant based toning workshop

In this workshop, you will learn how to make your own cyanotypes from mixing the chemicals to exposing the paper to light. We will then look at how to bleach and tone your cyanotypes using soda crystals & tannin-rich substances such as green tea, black tea, coffee, as well as an introduction to experimenting with gathered plants such as hibiscus, sage & rosemary.

2 Hour Live ONLINE Session
with Julia Parks

£40

All sessions are recorded and made available for a week following the course.

This also includes times for any feedback questions.

During this workshop, you will create your own cyanotypes from raw chemical stage to final print, followed by bleaching & toning to achieve a range of colours. 

Cyanotype is a low-impact iron-based photographic process which is known for its strong blue colour, invented in the 1840’s, the process was historically used in reproducing architectural drawings and is often referred to as a blueprint or sun print. 

Using our freshly exposed cyanotypes, we will then bleach and tone our prints using a range of tannin-rich substances, such as green tea, black tea, coffee and gathered plants. The prints can be toned into a range of colours including purples, browns and darker blues.

IN A 2 HOUR LIVE ONLINE SESSION:

  • Materials for Toning

    Access to boiling water (i.e. Kettle)

    Bicarbonate of Soda (for the bleach stage)

    Tannin material (Green tea, coffee, black tea or tannin rich plants)

    Trays and Jugs

    Access to running water

    Ventilation (near window or in darkroom)

    Weighing Scales

  • Materials for the Cyanotypes

    *you are welcome to bring pre-made cyanotypes for toning in the workshop*

    Potassium Ferricyanide

    Ammonium Ferric Citrate

    Foam or Goat Hair brush.

    Paper (Aquarelle Watercolour 300GSM, Fabriano Accademia 200GSM+, Arches Platine, Somerset Satin, Hahnemuhle Platinum Rag all work well)

    Transparencies, Negatives or objects to make shadows with

    Access to running water

    Jugs (including a small jug with 1ml measurements on)

    Trays

    Gloves

    Mask

    Contact printing frame or clip frame

    Pegs or clips

    Sunlight or UV light if Autumn/Winter

    You can also bring along pre-existing cyanotype prints to experiment with.

    Access to a darkened room without any sunlight (i.e. a place you can close the curtains or without windows)

  • Optional Materials

    Brown Glass Bottles if you want to store your chemicals post workshop

    Light tight box or black bag for your unexposed prints to be stored

Book Here

  • ‘Mind blowing and heart opening workshop … dense with practical and poetic inspiration’

    Cathryn

  • 'Full of inspiration and magic.'

    Kathryn

  • 'I'm writing to let you know that just over two years ago, I took a soil chromatography class with the Land Art Agency, and now I have an exhibition of chromatograms on display in a museum. I thought you might be interested in knowing that one workshop has inspired so much.'

    Mari Miller

  • 'I have adored this so much! thank you so much for bringing so much INSPIRATION and knowledge to a restful and fulfilling Sunday morning.'

    Esmee

  • ‘Such a wonderful dialogue and exchange. Thank you so much! I think that it is so wonderful how ‘art making’ can be viewed as a practice that fosters well-being and restoration as opposed to some of the more pejorative aspects or outcomes of the art market or art world. This honestly should come through in art and design school ‘training’ as well. So grateful for all that was shared. Very inspiring!’

    Abigail

  • 'Thank you so much. Two hours very well spent with plenty to think about and do.'

    Liz

  • 'Thank you all for an amazing and inspirational Session! I'm just starting a new project and so this has all been really helpful!'

    Naomi

  • 'Thank you everyone. Really inspiring and nice to feel that connection with others.'

    Jess

  • 'Thank you all so much! It's been one of the best sessions I've done in ages. x'

    Consuela

  • ‘Thank you for a great session. I have enjoyed it and go away inspired by everyone. Looking forward to the next session.’

    Helen

  • 'Thank you so much for this talk! It’s 3-5AM here in Saskatchewan but totally worth it!!'

    Barbara