14. Botanical Cyanotype Sun-Print Kit

Harness ultraviolet sunlight to produce stunning Prussian blue botanical silhouette prints using historic photographic chemistry.

  • Materials Needed: Cyanotype chemical solution (Part A and Part B), watercolor paper, foam brush, foraged leaves and ferns, glass sheet, washing tray.
  • Step-by-Step Instructions:
    1. Mix equal parts of Cyanotype chemical solution A and B in a dim room under subdued lighting.
    2. Coat your watercolor paper evenly with the mixed chemical solution using a foam brush and dry in a dark room.
    3. Place your foraged leaves and ferns flat onto the treated dry paper outdoors in direct sunlight.
    4. Weigh the botanicals down with a clear glass sheet to ensure sharp silhouette contact.
    5. Expose the paper to bright sunlight for 5 to 10 minutes until the paper turns a moody bronze-green color.
    6. Submerge the paper immediately in a cold water bath for 5 minutes to rinse unexposed chemicals, turning the background a brilliant Prussian blue. Hang to dry.
  • Tips & Variations: Experiment with lace doilies, feathers, or glass beads for abstract geometric sun-print patterns.
  • Styling Ideas: Frame in thin natural oak frames with white mats for a striking coastal gallery wall display.