Sunprints

Supplies:

Cyanotype paper (sunprint paper) available at art, photography and some book stores
Assortment of leaves, flowers or vegetables
Serving tray
Paper towels
Shallow container filled with water
Sheet of glass (the same size as the paper or larger).
TIP: Use glass from a picture frame, when done, frame your print

Directions:

1. Gather an assortment of leaves, flowers or vegetables (look for objects with an interesting outline).
   
   
2. In the shade or indoors, place a sheet of cyanotype paper on a serving tray with the blue side up.
   
   
3. Arrange flowers, leaves, etc. to be printed on paper - you can leave the stems on. Cover your objects with a sheet of glass to help weigh it down. Make sure the glass is clean.
   
   
4. Place tray with paper, objects and glass in direct sunlight and leave until the paper turns white (about 3-7 minutes).
   
   
5. Remove glass and object. Your paper should be white and the area covered by your object should be blue.
   
   
6. In the shade or indoors, place paper in shallow container of water and allow image to develop (about 2 minutes). Make sure the paper is totally covered with water.
   
   
7. Watch as the color fades then reappears, now your shadow image is white and the surrounding paper is blue.
   
   
8. Remove paper from water and place on paper towel on a flat surface to dry. You can use a paper towel to gently blot the water off the top of the print.
   
   
9. The blue of the cyanotype paper will darken considerably and is permanent when dry.