Cyanotype prints (also known as blueprints or sunprints) are traditionally deep blue. But did you know that they can be toned many other beautiful shades using safe, natural ingredients found in your kitchen? During this 2-day hands-on workshop we‘ll explore cyanotype printing and toning in depth!

Toning can completely change the mood of a piece making it warmer, richer, and earthier. Toned prints can be a toasty brown, rich taupe, gold, shades of olive, or even a deep cool black. Highlights tint ivory, yellow, peach, or soft pink (love that avocado toner! Be sure to peek at the swatches in the photos.)

In this class you’ll learn to make natural toners and use them to give your prints a whole new look and feel. You’ll make a set of 16 toned swatches to record color results and use them for reference as you tone your own prints.

• Learn how easy it is to make beautiful toners and tone your blueprints at home

• Expand your cyanotype palette with toners to add warmth, mood, or a vintage look

• Recharge your creative practice by learning a new technique

ALL LEVELS are welcome in this class! But it’s not just for beginners — even if you’ve made cyanotypes before, you’ll learn plenty of new tricks and techniques.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

DAY 1 - Students will learn how to print a cyanotype from start to finish. We will create the prints that will become our test swatches and larger pieces to tone on day 2. There will be lots of opportunity for creative exploration as we try different techniques for applying the cyanotype solution and altering the printing surface before exposure with collage, resists, salt and more.

DAY 2 - We‘ll bleach and tone our prints! After preparing toning baths using onion skins, avocado pits, green tea, and more, you’ll create a swatch kit of new colors. Using this kit for reference, the afternoon will be spent toning larger prints. We’ll experiment with masking, ombré toning, selective bleaching, and split-toning. By the end of class each student will have a variety of traditional blue and toned prints and the know-how to create more on their own.

MATERIALS

Most materials and paper are included but students will supply their own basic tools, cuttings of foliage, and some materials for their projects. A supply list will be provided.

SCHEDULE, etc.

Class will be from 9 to 3 each day. Students will bring sack lunches and we will take a “working lunch”. We’ll be indoors and outside so dress for the weather.

Can’t take an in-person class? Be sure to check out my video classes here!