March 30 | Cyanotype Sunprints with Suzi Appel

Cyanotype Sunprints is a Photographic + Botanical print workshop facilitated by Bayside Photographer and Art Educator, Suzi Appel.

Join Suzi, for a guided 3-hour workshop exploring the beautiful, sun-powered process of cyanotype printing. Using foraged botanicals, collected on-site at Lander—Se and personal photographs (prepared for you in advance), you will create stunning blue-toned prints that capture the magic of light, nature, creativity and photography.

Guided by Suzi, you will learn how to:

• Prepare a variety of papers with a light-sensitive solution

• Learn the photographic principles of positive and negative imagery

• Arrange botanicals or a photographic transparency onto paper to build experimental compositions

• Harness the power of UV sunlight to expose your unique compositions

• Watch as your artwork is brought to life by the power of the sun

At the end of the workshop, you’ll take home a stunning series of cyan-blue Sunprints and a cyanotype starter kit (valued at $60) so you can continue experimenting with this medium at home.
This process is non-toxic, all materials are provided with grazing platter and light refreshments. No previous experience required.

An introduction to cyanotype.

Cyanotype Printing is a process that produces a cyan-blue print on paper, appearing as a white image on a deep blue background. Back in the 1840’s the process was discovered by Sir John Herschel while experimenting with placing an object on chemically-treated paper and exposing it to light. The process was explored further by other scientists, and developed to become used commercially for reprography of plans and technical drawings. These are better known as blueprints. For artists, it became a creative process and was the earliest form of botanical photographs. Ann Atkins was famous for her publication of algae, in cyanotype. It is still popular with artists for its blue tones, quick development and collaborative capabilities.