An anthotype is an image created using photosensitive material from plants. This process was originally invented by Sir John Herschel in 1842. An emulsion is made from crushed flower petals or any other light-sensitive plant, fruit or vegetable. A coated sheet of paper is then dried. Place some material, for example leaves or a transparent photo positive on the paper and expose to direct full sunlight until the image part not covered by the material is bleached out by the sun rays. The color remains in the shadowed parts. The paper remains sensitive against such rays.
The anthotype process is made up of three steps. Making emulsion, preparing the canvas and printing.
1. Making emulsion
An anthotype emulsion can be made from a large number of plants. In these examples, I used leaves of rose and leaves of spinach.
I crushed them with a few drops of alcohol and once the soup is crushed, strain it though a piece of cotton rag. Once all the liquid has drained through, I used a teaspoon to squeeze the excess liquid out, and then discard the pulp left.
2. Preparing the canvas
We need to work in a dimly lit area (since any exposure to sunlight will destroy the color of the emulsion) and prepare a drying area in the dark before we start coating.
Any paper that will hold the emulsion can be used, but I used a weight watercolor paper (Canson 300 mg ) because an anthotype will be out in the sun for a few days or even weeks.
Now I coated the canvas with a brush, that will enable to leave brush strokes on the paper, adding a handmade quality.
3. Printing the anthotype
The positive image is placed on the material to make a print, by direct contact. The anthotype print develops as the rays of the sun destroys the color of the pigment, bleaching the print. Exposure to the sun may take few days or several weeks.
Each emulsion will need a different exposure time. Different strength the sun, depending on your season, weather and geographical location will also matter.
No rinsing, fixing or other frills necessary. The print is ready
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