The process of making a cyanotype picture is fairly simple. You brush the solution onto your paper and allow the solution to dry. Then take whatever you want to make an image of and place it over the paper. Place the paper outside where its in sunlight, and cover it with glass so the object your making an image of dosent move. Allow around 10 min for the chemicals to react with the sunlight. Where it used to be green, it should be a dark gray color. Remove the image object and take the paper with the chemicals and wash it in a shallow tub to remove the chemicals that haven't reacted with the sun. The reacted chemicals should be turning blue. Allow to dry.
Chemicals Used:Ferric ammonium citrate-Health:1 Fire:1 Re activity:0
Potassium ferricyanide-Health:2 Fire:0 Re activity:0
First Aid Measures:
Eye Contact:
Check for and remove any contact lenses. In case of contact, immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Cold water may be used. Get medical attention.
Skin Contact:
Wash with soap and water. Cover the irritated skin with an emollient. Get medical attention if irritation develops. Cold water
may be used.
What color was the cyanotype emulsion when it was applied to the paper?
-It was a dull green color.
What happened when it was placed outside in the sunlight? Why?
-The chemicals reacted with the sunlight and were darkened over time, producing a silhouette or negative of the image.
When your print was removed from the glass and the objects were removed, what did you observe?
-The area the object was placed over had stayed green because it hadn't reacted with the sun.
Describe what happened to the exposed areas of the print and the unexposed areas of the print when it was placed in water. Why do you think this happened?
-The water washed away the chemicals that hadn't reacted with the sun and any excess solution still remaining on the paper.
What happened when the Hydrogen Peroxide was added the the water bath?
-The Hydrogen Peroxide washed more of the remaining solution off the paper.
Any final thoughts about the way it looks, feels or your observations of the process?
-Once the area of the print is exposed that you want to keep white, you have to move fairly quickly to wash the chemicals away or it will fade out and you will just get a blue paper.
Chemicals Used:Ferric ammonium citrate-Health:1 Fire:1 Re activity:0
Potassium ferricyanide-Health:2 Fire:0 Re activity:0
First Aid Measures:
Eye Contact:
Check for and remove any contact lenses. In case of contact, immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Cold water may be used. Get medical attention.
Skin Contact:
Wash with soap and water. Cover the irritated skin with an emollient. Get medical attention if irritation develops. Cold water
may be used.
What color was the cyanotype emulsion when it was applied to the paper?
-It was a dull green color.
What happened when it was placed outside in the sunlight? Why?
-The chemicals reacted with the sunlight and were darkened over time, producing a silhouette or negative of the image.
When your print was removed from the glass and the objects were removed, what did you observe?
-The area the object was placed over had stayed green because it hadn't reacted with the sun.
Describe what happened to the exposed areas of the print and the unexposed areas of the print when it was placed in water. Why do you think this happened?
-The water washed away the chemicals that hadn't reacted with the sun and any excess solution still remaining on the paper.
What happened when the Hydrogen Peroxide was added the the water bath?
-The Hydrogen Peroxide washed more of the remaining solution off the paper.
Any final thoughts about the way it looks, feels or your observations of the process?
-Once the area of the print is exposed that you want to keep white, you have to move fairly quickly to wash the chemicals away or it will fade out and you will just get a blue paper.