Cyanotypes on Glass

Visited the new(ish) studio by Incubate Printmaking today in Ouseburn to do a session on cyanotype printing on glass with Nick

Cyanotype has always had a otherworldly aesthetic with elements of nostalgia, connected to the earliest forms of the photographic process form the 1840s. Although I love my Canon and my graphic design work, I’m drawn to exploring more traditional methods lately. Although I’d explored cyanotypes at Uni in Edinburgh, it was a fair few years ago ! and I enjoyed this session with Nick brushing off the cobwebs.

Image Description: Six small images are displayed. From top left to right: 1. The blue building of Cobalt Studios in Ouseburn with large wooden doors. 2. Nick Christie instructing on the ‘cooking’ for a solution with cyanotypes involving gelatin. 3. Third Eyed Man image on small pane of glass against fluorescent light box. 4. Cyanotypes of snake image side by side, the navy one processed with fresh coffee. 5. Square cyanotype of the moon by Nick printed on glass. 6. Exposed paper in green tones and ghost images, before the washing process begins.

For the cyanotypes I decided to use two images that were ink drawings I doodled back in lockdown. The larger pieces of glass was printed with the image of peonies with snakes entwined around the blooms. Snakes are complex creatures, depicted both as dangers and deities in the Indus region. The fear of snakebites can translate to anxieties depicted in murals or sculptures, while revered serpents like Shesha, the cosmic snake, symbolize transformation and healing. Serpents often represent intrusive thoughts or primal fears, but their shed skin signifies renewal, hinting at the possibility of overcoming mental struggles. Cyanotypes were also created on paper, a darker navy effect was obtained with a coffee solution. The second image which was printed onto the smaller glass in the image is probably more typical of the graphic design style I have nowadays, with a third eyed figure seated on clouds.

I’ll be expanding my workflow now from solely focusing on the digital realm of graphic design to the tactile world of printmaking and painting. Expect more traditional processes in the next few months.