Anthotypes- alternative processing

  Spinach, daisies, wine, strawberries, onions, and other plants are all light sensitive. If you leave them out in the sun long enough, you’ll have your very own plant prints, just like that.

 

Anthotypes: Grind up plant matter and paint the juices onto paper. Plop a positive film on top and allow nature to execute its handy work.

 

 Different plants you can use and how long it would take with each:

Spinach: 4-5 hours, light green (This is what we used.)
Daisy: 1 week, sepia
Red Wine: 1 week, burgundy
Pansy: 2 weeks, purple
Onion: 3-4 weeks, orange
Beetroot: 4-6 weeks, fuchsia

 

What you need:

• Petals from a colorful flower, berries or other plant
• Mortar and pestle or electric food blender
• Glass container or ceramic bowl for mixing
ingredients
• Water (distilled if possible) or alcohol
• Cheesecloth, coffee filter, cotton cloth or very fine masked strainer
• Brush
• Art paper
• Glass clip frame or a contact print frame
• A large size positive (not negative) or items to make photo grams
• Sunshine

Good to have:

• Newspaper to cover work surface
• Scissors
• Rubber gloves
• Apron or an old shirt
• Cleaning cloth

 Steps of the anthotype process;

STEP 1: Transform the plant into emulsion

 

STEP 2: COAT YOUR PAPER

 

STEP 3: Frame it

 

STEP 4: Give it to the sun

 

Then all done!