So a cyanotype/blueprint is a light sensitive solution which traditionally is painted on paper in order to create the distinctive dark cyan-blue print when exposed to light. Some cyanotype solution is ‘ready to use’, whereas I bought the two chemicals (Potassium ferricyanide and Ferric ammonium citrate) that are combined to create the solution. I use a light exposure box to expose my acetate image, giving detail and a range of tones, however sunlight can be successful when exposing objects such as plants.

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The cyanotype type is a very distinctive cyan-blue, however while researching different cyanotype works on a range of media I discovered that cyanotypes have the ability to be toned to create a more subtle tone. Using teas and coffee to darken and alter the colour of the print, this is possible due to chemical nature of a cyanotype. The website:

https://mpaulphotography.wordpress.com/2011/04/01/cyanotype-toning-the-basics/amp/

is very useful to learn the process and different methods of toning as the writer has learnt a lot from trial an error.

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I have been toning with green tea and black tea (builders tea), as they tint the paper the least and produce beautiful subtle tones. Green tea doesn’t tint the paper much and produces a purple print, while black tea can make the paper a light brown but will make a very dark, almost black print. First I make the cyanotypes and let them develop over 24hrs before I can consider toning them. The more prints to play with the better. In order for the cyanotypes to react they must firstly be ‘bleached’ with sodium carbonate (soda crystals, used for washing clothes). Soak the paper in a water bath and bleach each print individually, I have discovered each takes a matter of seconds, and will continue bleaching after it is removed. This darkens the print to a dark blue, but will erase or lighten the image if left too long. The print then soaks in a bath of tea for 20mins to an hour depending on paper tinting and colour intensity, however check on the print for how it is developing and if there are air bubbles. The prints I have shown I soaked for 30-40mins in green tea to limit the paper tinting, this made the mid tones a bright purple, to get the dark tones a bright aubergine then soak for an hour. This is an unpredictable process, however if I start with a dark cyanotype with a mix of mid tones it will produce a better toned print than a light cyanotype.

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Key points:

• Let cyanotypes develop for 24hrs before toning them

• Ingredients: Sodium Carbonate, Green tea, Black tea and Coffee

• 20mins-1hrs toning developing with toning ingredients

• Problem solve air bubbles