In continuing our Art with Nature series, this exercise has us making art in our backyard. We are teaching a special photographic process called Cyanotypes, or making sun prints. The process is a magical method where the sun exposes the shapes of the pants. It creates a permanent pattern based on a temporary moment.
Nature heals. Breathing in the air, holding nature in our palms provides a connection to the natural world. We pause. We are calmed. We focus on the moment at hand.
Have fun with arranging these plants on your sun paper. Think about their shapes and the composition of the page. What is a pleasing way of creating this garden bouquet?
Sunprints are our favorite things to make. Printing with the sun and plants is a meditative process that allows us to surrender to the moment. We embrace the unknown and await the discovery of what will be revealed.
STEPS
Gather supplies. Purchase sunprint paper.
Gather plants.
Practice arranging plants before taking sunprint paper out.
In dark room, put plants and paper under glass. Clip together.
Bring outside into sunlight. Mid day works best.
Leave in the sun (expose) for 1-2 minutes.
The blue will turn brown.
Unclip and quickly put into tub of water.
Watch your image get exposed.
Wash off solution and take out of water to dry.
Add a splash of hydrogen peroxide to darken the color.