Need some summer-themed art inspiration to enjoy with your kids? We’ve got you covered with a quick and easy cyanotype project!
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If you’ve never experimented with cyanotype art before, you’re in for a treat. This printing process yields beautiful results and can be enjoyed by kids and teens of all ages.
Cyanotype Art for Kids
You’ll only need a few things to get started with your cyanotype art project:
Cyanotype Art: Supplies Needed
- Cyanotype paper kit
- Doilies, leaves, or other objects
- Weights like coasters or sea shells (optional)
- Water for rinsing
Keep in mind that you can also use potassium ferricyanide and ammonium citrate with watercolor paper if you prefer to use the original cyanotype method for your project. This takes a little longer than the paper kit, but it’s still fairly easy. 😉
Also worth noting, Fiona Robinson’s Bluest of Blues makes a wonderful book companion to go along with this project. It tells the story of botanist Anna Atkins and how she used the cyanotype method to make the first book of photographs. Better yet, it provides tons of inspiration for cyanotype art.
Step 1 – Plan the design.
To start your cyanotype art project, gather the objects you want to “photograph.” There’s plenty of room for creativity in this step, but using objects with well-defined outlines and edges will make the best prints.
We used doilies this time, but we’ve successfully used lots of different things in past projects. Here are some of our favorites:
- Leaves
- Flowers
- Shells
- Small toys
Once you have the items on hand, clean them if needed and then experiment with the placements you’d like to use on the paper. This step is important because there will be no time to make changes once the paper is exposed to sunlight.
Step 2 – Make the print.
Next, take the cyanotype kit and items to a sunny area. Also, be sure to wash hands prior to handling the paper and bring something to use as weights during the casting (see note below).
When you’re ready, remove the cyanotype paper from the kit and place it on your work surface. Then, quickly place your items on the paper and top them with the plastic panel.
Once the panel is in place, allow the paper to sit in direct sunlight for a few minutes.
Note: the kit comes with a plastic panel that can be used as a weight, but the panel may not provide enough weight to keep the wind from getting underneath lightweight items. This can cause them to reposition in the middle of the process and is especially prone to happen with items that are positioned only partially on the paper; the extra weights prevent this problem.
Step 3 – Rinse and dry.
When the paper has been in the sun for a few minutes, quickly remove it from the light and briefly rinse it with water. Then, put it in a safe place to dry.
After the sheets are completely dry, place them inside a heavy book for a few days to flatten the sheets and remove any wrinkles in the paper.
After the sun print paper is flattened, frame your cyanotype art and place it somewhere to enjoy.
Don’t forget that we LOVE seeing your completed projects. Be sure to share them with us by tagging us on Facebook or Instagram so we can enjoy your lovely cyanotype art!
For more summer-themed art ideas, check out our Celebrate Summer Mixed Media course. It’s a great way to keep the art inspiration flowing all summer long!
