Art Taster: Easy Cyanotyping on Fabric

This casual workshop is an introduction to cyanotyping (blue printing), an early method of photography that can be used to create unique images on porous surfaces. For this "taster" we'll talk a little bit about the history and chemistry, play with composition of items to create an image, and then take advantage of the Fresno sun and pre-treated cotton fabrics from Jaquard Products (c) to make unique swatches. Your creations will be complete on their own, or can be the foundation for another project. We'll talk about that, too!

All materials will be provided, but feel free to bring your own pressed flowers and leaves, paper cuts, lace, photo negatives, and other items you'd like to experiment with. Keep in mind that cyanotyping creates silhouettes of items that block UV light. Therefore, photo negatives should have strong dark and light contrast.

Provided materials will include:

pre-treated cotton fabric

transfer sheets for drawing or writing with acrylic ink

non-latex gloves

pressed flowers, leaves, etc. and man-made objects that will provide interesting texture or interference with UV light.