"A certain blue enters your soul". - Henry Matisse

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Cyanotype is a Victorian photographic process that produces prints with a distinctive prussian blue colour.

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The process was first developed in 1842 by the scientist and astronomer Sir John Herschel.

 

Anna Atkins was an English botanist and photographer who made cyanotype prints between 1843- 1853. She is often considered the first person to illustrate a book with photographic images.

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To create a Cyanotype (also known as Sun Printing), ferric ammonium citrate and potassium ferricyanide are mixed together to create a light sensitive solution. The solution is applied to water colour paper or fabric and left to dry. Flowers, leaves or digital negatives are positioned on top and held in place by a sheet of glass. The print is then exposed under a UV light source such as sunlight. Once the exposure is complete the print is rinsed in water, leaving beautiful blue toned images.