As it happens, Prussian blue is sensitive to light. If a solution of iron cyanide and iron citrate salts is exposed to light, some of the iron ions will be oxidized (lose their electrons) and form the Prussian blue complex. While the non-oxided greenish form is soluble, the oxidized blue complex is extremely insoluble and stains anything it is in contact with deep blue. If you place a leaf or some other opaque object on paper treated with the non-oxidized solution and then expose the paper to sunlight, Prussian blue will form where ever the light hits the paper. The chemicals in the shaded regions however don't react and can be rinsed off with water once the exposure is complete. The result is a beautiful blue and white shadow print of the object placed on the paper.
What is a cyanotype? (everyone)
Learn about the cyanotype process by reading/watching:
Before jumping into your own design, take a few minutes to carefully examine 4 sample prints and identify errors and/or problems that you might be able to avoid in your prints. An evaluation form is provided for each group. While the group critiques the print together, each group member takes a turn filling in the form.
Create energy themed transparencies for a jigsaw puzzle (artist)
This week, you will create a wooden jigsaw puzzle using the cyanotype process. In keeping with our energy theme, the picture you use for the jigsaw puzzle must be related to energy somehow. Choose a term from the following list to illustrate:
Mass, Gravity, Heat, Speed, Kinetic, Potential, Torque, Light, Velocity, Distance, Atom, Inertia, Force, Friction, Acceleration, Motion, Tension, Electricity, Molecule, and, Scientist. Only use images with a minimum resolution of 1000x1600.
In Photoshop:
Prepare jigsaw puzzle materials (carpenter)
What is a cyanotype? (everyone)
Learn about the cyanotype process by reading/watching:
- Technical details of the chemistry
- Prussian blue video
- Artistic fabrics using cyanotyping
- Making prints from negatives
Before jumping into your own design, take a few minutes to carefully examine 4 sample prints and identify errors and/or problems that you might be able to avoid in your prints. An evaluation form is provided for each group. While the group critiques the print together, each group member takes a turn filling in the form.
Create energy themed transparencies for a jigsaw puzzle (artist)
This week, you will create a wooden jigsaw puzzle using the cyanotype process. In keeping with our energy theme, the picture you use for the jigsaw puzzle must be related to energy somehow. Choose a term from the following list to illustrate:
Mass, Gravity, Heat, Speed, Kinetic, Potential, Torque, Light, Velocity, Distance, Atom, Inertia, Force, Friction, Acceleration, Motion, Tension, Electricity, Molecule, and, Scientist. Only use images with a minimum resolution of 1000x1600.
In Photoshop:
- Format the picture to fit within an 8x10 inch rectangle
- Convert the picture to gray-scale mode to make sure there is enough contrast
- Invert the gray-scale (to make a negative-style print)
- Print out the negative image onto paper
- Give the negative image to Dr. Don to copy onto a transparency
- Cut paper into 8.5x11 inch rectangles
- Prepare stock solutions (Ammonium ferrocitrate and potassium ferricyanide)
- Mix enough cyanotype emulsion for 12 sheets (about 30 mL)
- Coat paper with the emulsion
- Hang up (in the dark) to dry for making prints on Wednesday.
Prepare jigsaw puzzle materials (carpenter)
- match two 8x10 hardboard sheets
- paint one side of each with identical color paints