Art and Crafts

It may be necessary to change the order of the days plan dependent on the weather and natural UV levels. Where this is too low we will use UV lamps instead.

Day 1: Introduction and History

·Welcome and Artist Introduction

·Brief History & fun facts about Cyanotype photography

·Mixing chemicals and making light sensitive paper

·Create, expose and develop simple cyanotype prints

·Troubleshooting common issues

·Prepare paper for tomorrow's projects

·Group reflection and discussion including initial introduction about the final project.

Day 2: Creating photograms (cameraless prints).

·Understanding exposure incorporating tonal variations and shadows.

·Understanding UV lamps v's natural sunlight

·Preparing hand drawn acetates for contact printing

·Exposing and developing own photogram prints

·Prepare paper for tomorrow's projects

·Group discussion on creative thoughts for individual's final project.

Day 3: Creating Digital Negatives

·Tutor demonstration on how to create at home

·Use and Storage precautions

·Exposing and developing own prints using digital negatives

·Discussion and feedback on today's work

·Prepare paper for tomorrow's projects

·Group discussion re creative thoughts for individual's final project.

Day 4: Cyanotype on other surfaces including fabric

·Introduction to cyanotype on fabric and other surfaces possible

·Fabric preparation and coating

·Exposing and developing own fabric prints.

·Prepare surfaces and resources for tomorrow's individual final project.

Day 5: Final Individual Project

·Review & re-cap of the weeks work

·Using all or some of the techniques learnt through the week create, expose and develop individual final projects

·Final portfolio assembly and share with group.

·Closing remarks and Group Discussion on creative possibilities for the future.

Absolutely no previous experience is needed and everything required for the course is supplied by the tutor.

If done correctly Cyanotype is not a messy process however the solutions are indelible on fabric so an over shirt/appropriate clothing is advisable.

Each day finishes with a group discussion regarding the following day's project - this will give students the opportunity to share creative thoughts on the day's experiments and be inspired both by each other and perhaps by items they have at home, or in the garden which they are welcome to bring in. There is no need to bring anything on the first day.

By the end of the five days students will have developed a unique portfolio of cyanotype prints to take home, and gained a broad understanding of this captivating historic photographic process.

NB This process can easily become creatively addictive.

Libby Mornement

About Libby

Libby is a contemporary Cyanotype Artist based in Wiltshire. Contemporary because she uses one of the oldest photographic processes, invented in Bath more than 180 years ago, to produce prints in a palette of blues from its hints to its depths. Perhaps most well known for her hand drawn photograms of free~spirited swimmers Libby has sold her work internationally whilst also a resident artist at The Corsham Gallery. She has recently filmed a demonstration of the Cyanotype process for the BBC.

The alchemy of two non-toxic, eco-friendly iron compounds reacting with the sunshine to produce photographic blue prints never ceases to amaze her, but what she most loves to do is pass on the alchemy of this simple, affordable and historic photographic technique to others.As well as running regular workshops from her own studio she also runs pop-up workshops in Schools, Museums, over 70's clubs, WI's and Youth Clubs around Wiltshire.

You can view her work at www.bloemenandblue.comor on Instagram @bloemen_and_blue