Cyanotype Workshop – Day 1

This year’s Low Res programme started with a cyanotype workshop run by Matt from the British Library.

Following an introduction to the process and a range of discussions of possibilities, we proceeded with practical experimentation. Most participants collaged photocopies on acetate of sources from the British Library. With Jonathan’s help, I managed to download and print two copies of my paintings.

During the coating stage, my intention was to contradict smoothness and eve was of the chemical film on the surface. I wanted to achieve a more uncertain and unpredictable effect. I used sponge brushes in a spontaneous and dynamic way, trying to create a layered and broken effect.

Unfortunately, the light from the strip lights was powerful enough to begin exposing the paper before it had a chance to dry. I resulted to aiding this process with a hair dryer and protected the pieces from further damage by storing them in a black plastic bag.



The next stage was based on preparation and further enhancement of the acetate photocopies. I used permanent black pens to refine the images and emphasise both the shapes as well as stains and textures. Here again, my intention was to create images with are non visually descriptive. I wanted to achieve effects of ambiguity leading to curiosity and a range of possible interpretations.

Subsequently, after exposing my work in UV light boxes for 15 to 20 minutes, the results have exceeded my expectations. The work is mysterious and has poetic and spiritual resemblances.
I will definitely experiment further with this images to refine them further using a digital process, perhaps even moving image trials and animations.




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