Saturday, August 8, 12-4pm

Cyanotype is the perfect photographic medium for murals. It is easily applied to many different kinds of surfaces, affordable to use in large quantities, and can be exposed in the sun and developed with water. In this mini-workshop you will learn the basics of image-making on light-sensitive surfaces and how to work on a large scale in terms of composition and maneuvering large cloth.

Invented in 1843, cyanotype is a chemical photographic process that is only sensitive to UV light and is famous for its blue color. Students will each work on a large section of cloth (roughly 5x8 feet) to create a mural composition in cyanotype. We will utilize the photogram technique which uses objects to block light from a light-sensitive surface, creating a 1:1 ratio between the object and the final image. For example, if you use your body and lay on the light-sensitive cloth your final image will be the exact shape of your body. You will need to bring your own objects for photograms (and they can be big!). This class is weather dependent as exposures for the cyanotype mural will be done outside and it will be rescheduled if needed. It will also be done at our private residence in Holladay and not at Luminaria.

Workshops do not have a minimum enrollment requirement. We will refund 80% of the fee if you cancel 3 weeks prior to the first day of the workshop. We will refund 50% of the fee if you cancel 1 week prior to the first day of enrollment. No refunds will be issued with less than 1 week notice of cancellation.

About Cyanotype Prints

Cyanotype was invented by John Frederick William Herschel in 1842 and is famous for its deep blue hue. The first photographic book (by Anna Atkins) utilized cyanotype and the photogram technique which uses objects to block light and create an image on the photographic surface. Their blue hue is not only unique but creates a brilliant palette for images of landscapes, botanicals, and portraits. Cyanotype is also extremely versatile and can be applied to almost any surface. It is a more affordable photographic print because it does not use metals like silver, platinum, or palladium. Commercial cyanotype paper became available in 1872 and was used in the building industry for drafting site plans (i.e. blue prints) until the 1950s. In the 1960s alternative processes, including cyanotype, were revived and brought back into the photographic tool box.