Lesson plan
Portable Cyanotipe Workshop
Educator: Natacha Girouard
For: Teenagers, adults
Duration: 3h
Rational
This workshop invites discovery of an old photographic method, cyanotype, while exploring an outdoor location and tuning into your senses.
Pedagogical & Art Objectives
To understand the cyanotype process, exposure, juxtaposition and negative space. To plan and compose images using found objects and natural materials. To work alone and collaboratively on image making. To learn a method for observation and connecting to place.
Vocabulary
Cyanotype: Low tech photographic process using ferric ammonium and potassium ferricyanide. Mixed they are photosensitive so that exposed they become deep blue. Invented by John Hershel in 1842.
Photosensitive: That is changed by exposure to light, in this case sunlight.
Exposure: The contact of light with a surface coated with cyanotype solution. Varies in time and intensity.
Juxtaposition: Layering of objects or natural materials to create interesting effects.
Negative space: The space that is left open, not covered by materials.
Composition: Creating an image and taking into account the final visual effect.
Developing: Last step in the cyanotype process. Rinsing in water to see the results and stop the exposure.
Found objects: Objects found by chance in a specific place.
Nature connection: A discipline in it's own right. Paying attention to where you are.
Materials
Educator
Watercolour paper of various sizes coated with cyanotype solution
"Getting to know a place" handouts
Gloves
Frames and bulldog clips
Scissors
Container
Prototypes
Dark bag/envelopes
Harvest containers
Camera for documentation
First aid kit
On site
Access to water
Plants, organic materials
Found objects
Work table
Seats
Participants
Sketchbook
Pen/pencil
Workshop Flow
Introduction 10 min
Welcome participants to the space and give a quick tour. Ask participants about their experience with photography (digital and analog) and what do they like to photograph. Explain the basics of cyanotype: its history, how it works and how it has been used. Show prototypes and ask participants what materials they think were used to create the images; this will help participants start to think about materials and process.
Written Activity & Harvest 20 min
Introduce the written activity ''Getting to know a place''. Give each participant a handout and ask them to find a special spot to answer the questions alone in their sketchbooks. Explain that it is a personal activity and that there are no right or wrong answers. Give participants about 8-10 minutes to do this, have a signal for when its time to come back. When back together, ask if anyone wants to share what they wrote or drew. How did it make you feel? As a group, read Potawatomi scholar, biologist and writer Robin Wall Kimmerer on the honorable harvest (Kimmerer 2014, Bioneers 2019). Give each participant a container to collect natural materials and found objects. Explain that they only need about a handful of materials. Give participants 7 minutes to harvest.
Demonstration 10 min
Show participants how to plan and prepare items before taking out the photosensitive paper. Model thinking about composition. Explain that by pressing materials and coated paper between a glass frame you will get sharper lines. Demonstrate this technique for participants by creating a small print. Explain that once the paper becomes a greyish colour exposure is complete. Take participants to the rinsing station and explain that prints need to be left in for about 10 minutes so that all excess chemicals can leach out. Gloves are mandatory for the developing station. Show participants were to dry prints.
Art Making 2h15
Participants will gather additional materials from the materials table: glass frames, clips, scissors. The coated cyanotype papers will be kept in a lightproof bag by the educator/facilitator until participants are ready. Participants will begin planning their first composition. When the first participant is ready, ask all to come watch the process as a last example. Each participant will make 3 cyanotypes. Participants will be told that it is their collective responsibility to empty and refill the developing bath when it becomes deep yellow. Once everyone has completed 3 cyanotypes, explain that we will be making collaborative cyanotypes. Depending on the number of participants separate them into groups of 3-4 to create large compositions. Hand out 1 large paper per group.
Clean Up 5 min
Ask participants to put back found objects and disperse natural materials/seeds in the garden. All other materials can go back on the materials table. Ask for two volunteers to empty and rinse the developing station.
Art Response & Closure 15 min
Gather participants around the drying station and give about 5 minutes to look at the work. Ask each participant to share something about the experience (written exercise/harvest/print making/collaborating) or one of their prints with the group. Encourage participants to ask each other questions. Ask the group in what other spaces could we do this workshop, how could it improve, and with what other materials could we experiment?
References
Bioneers. (2019, June 19). The honorable harvest: Robin Kimmerer [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEm7gbIax0o&ab_channel=Bioneers
Kimmerer, R. W. (2014). Returning the gift. Minding Nature, 7 (2), 18-24. https://www.humansandnature.org/filebin/pdf/minding_nature/May2014_Returning_the_Gift.pdf