Blue Prints

Anna Atkins

This process combines two loves of mine, nature and Prussian blue. The phrase 'blue prints' originally comes from when when engineers needed to make large scale copies of their work, a process called Cyanotype. The vibrant blue is brought about by mixing two chemicals, potassium ferricyanide and ferric ammonium which make material sensitive to light. Then by placing an object or natural form like a leaf on the soaked material in the sun you create a white silhouette on a deep inky blue background. 

Cassette Tapes cyanotype by Christian Marclay

You can mix these chemicals yourself and create some beautiful artworks or if prefer you can buy the sun-senitve paper for a craft so simple you can do it with your children!

Anna Atkins

Anna Atkins

The procedure was discovered by scientist and astronomer Sir John Herschel in 1842, but it was Anna Atkins who brought this process to photography. She is regarded by most as the first female photographer. Atkins placed specimens of ferns and seaweed and other plant life on the paper to catalogue her findings. They make beautiful images so rich in colour with clear silhouettes. 

Anna Atkins

Anna Atkins

You can have a go yourself at creating these gorgeous napkins here at Garden Therapy. I recon I might start with the kit, keep it simple! Chemistry was never my strong point, but what a beautiful process.  

Makes this at Garden Therapy blog