Sun prints
Sun prints, also known as anthotypes (the sister process to cyanotypes), are a fun and easy way to create beautiful yellow prints using the sun's UV rays. One of the great things about sun prints is that you can use a variety of materials to create the prints, including natural materials like leaves, flowers, rocks, and more!
Materials needed:
Photo-sensitive turmeric alcohol ink
Paper (almost any kind works, just no homemade paper)
PRO TIP: I have found that matte photo paper holds the yellow pigment the best.
A flat surface to place your paper on
A frame of pane of glass
Objects to create the design (leaves, flowers, etc.)
A sunny day
Instructions:
Start by gathering all of your materials.
Then make the photo sensitive ink by straining the alcohol through the turmeric.
Optional: place your paper on a flat surface and plan how you will arrange your objects on top of it. (Take a photo for reference if you really want to get the design exact)
Then remove the objects from the paper and using a wide brush, apply a thin layer of the turmeric alcohol ink over the entire piece of paper. Make sure to get a good even coat.
Let the ink completely dry, arrange the objects again and secure by placing a piece of glass over it.
Pro tip: Use a frame to secure everything together
Place in a sunny location and allow it to sit. The development process can take anywhere from 1 to 6 hours depending on your location and time of year.
When the print has faded significantly, carefully remove the objects from the paper and rinse the paper with a borax and water solution.
After the borax bath, the areas of the paper that were covered by your object(s) will be dark, while the rest of the paper will have faded to a lighter yellow.
That's all there is to it!
Sun prints are a fun and easy way to create beautiful art using the power of the sun. Give this technique a try and see what unique designs you can come up with.
Questions? Ask here
I would love to hear about your experience trying this process!
