On Monday, February 12, 2024, we gathered to experiment with toning cyanotypes with botanical toners. After a quick soak in a mild bleach (sodium carbonate in this case) the iron in the cyanotype emulsion is altered in such a way that it can combine with the tannins in plants. Putting the prints into teas made from the plants can then change the blue color in various ways. On this night we used toners made from yerba mate tea, cherry leaves, osage orange wood shavings, artichoke leaves, fenugreek, avocado pits and banana peels.
Photo credits
Image 1: Daniel Afzal
Image 2: Paige Billin-Frye
Image 3: Phil Koenig
Image 4: Daniel Afzal
Image 5: Paige Billin-Frye
Image 6: Paige Billin-Frye
