Leaving an Impression: Cyanotype Workshop with Mireille Perron

Make your own cyanotype print using an old photographic technique, and learn how to use the local flora & fauna in your art!

This hands-on 2 1/2 hour workshop with Mireille Perron (Professor Emeritus) is an introduction to one of the first photographic processes ever developed. The cyanotype process, also known as blueprint or sunprint utilizes photosensitive iron salts and continues to be relevant today to produce fine art prints. This process can be done with paper and fabric. This workshop will focus on cyanotype paper. You will design, expose in the sun, and develop in water your own cyanotypes. An UV lamp will be available if the sun is not showing up that day.

This is a contact printing method. Where the light reaches paper (or fabric), it turns blue. Where light is blocked, it remains white, or the colour of the paper. Participants are encouraged to bring objects/materials for their compositions. Select your objects thinking of the shadows they will leave. For example, transparent reflective glass objects i.e. such as small drinking glasses with nice cut glass bottom, and other random transparent objects. Intricate flowers and leaves like any small objects with an intricate contour such as lace, strings, gears, buttons etc. Experimentation can produce some really interesting results.

All materials provided.

Be ready to go outside in the sun (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen…)