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1 Natural Contact Print Anthotype

This document provides instructions for making an anthotype, or plant-based contact print, in 2 versions. Version 1 uses turmeric powder, alcohol, and borax to create a print. The coated paper is developed in sunlight from behind leaves and flowers in a picture frame. Version 2 uses the liquid extract of various plants like spinach or blackberries, strained and diluted if needed. No borax or rinsing is required. Experimenting with different plants and adding acid or alkali can change the print colors. Safety precautions like gloves and avoiding toxic plants are advised.

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Antonio Jorge Valerio
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123 views3 pages

1 Natural Contact Print Anthotype

This document provides instructions for making an anthotype, or plant-based contact print, in 2 versions. Version 1 uses turmeric powder, alcohol, and borax to create a print. The coated paper is developed in sunlight from behind leaves and flowers in a picture frame. Version 2 uses the liquid extract of various plants like spinach or blackberries, strained and diluted if needed. No borax or rinsing is required. Experimenting with different plants and adding acid or alkali can change the print colors. Safety precautions like gloves and avoiding toxic plants are advised.

Uploaded by

Antonio Jorge Valerio
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Make a contact print called an anthotype

First, what is a contact print?


Basically if you lay an object onto a light-sensitive material you
create a shadow imprint or photogram which, depending on
how dense the object is, will reveal some of the object’s detail
(due to different amounts of light getting through). You are
simply catching a shadow!
Version 1: Turmeric – This works well but you do need a few fancy supplies
Ingredients
 Turmeric powder (what you get in a spice jar)
 Isopropyl alcohol (from the pharmacy) OR try surgical spirit (you could use vodka but
PLEASE ask permission first!)
 Borax powder (again, from a pharmacy) - this is optional but it makes it really a lot
brighter
 Paper (nice thick watercolour paper is good, but anything will do)
 A foam brush or thick paint brush (to paint the mixture on the paper)
 A container to mix bits in (e.g. old yoghurt pot)
 An old photo frame
 Two clothes pegs or bulldog clips
Work away from things you might stain and cover work surfaces with paper. Wear
disposable gloves (optional) to prevent stained hands (it is not toxic and will wash off
after a day or two!)
Instructions
1. Dissolve some turmeric powder in a little of the alcohol (e.g. 1 tsp turmeric in 4 tsp
alcohol), and stir well. (This is enough for an A4 sheet of paper).
2. Allow to settle and the undissolved stuff will fall to the bottom of the pot.
3. Use the top liquid to coat your paper with.
4. Place the coated paper in a dark place e.g. cupboard to dry. This is now sensitive to
light so you must keep it dark.
5. While waiting for the paper to dry, have a look around the garden for some nice
shaped leaves or flowers. You need to select some to make a print from.
6. When the paper is dry, go and get your old picture frame and dismantle it. Be really
careful as sometime the glass edges are sharp. You want the glass and the back
board.
7. Now, in a dimly lit room, place the coated paper on top of the board from the frame,
then add your leaves and flowers on top of the paper in a pleasing arrangement. Pop
the glass on top of that to sandwich it all together and use pegs or bulldog clip to
secure the glass to the board. (see picture)
8. Now you can take this plant sandwich outside to develop it in the sun. Leave it for
about 2-3 hours ideally. The sun will bleach the yellow paper but where the plants
are will not become bleached.
9. Mix up a little borax powder in some water
(about half a mug-full of water with a teaspoon of
powder). Unclip the frame somewhere away from
bright light.
10. Pour the borax solution into a shallow tray or dish
and place the paper in it to soak (or, if your tray is
too small, just pour the solution over the top of
the paper).
11. Next, run some water into a sink or tray and place
the paper in the water to rinse it. Run it under the
tap carefully to keep rinsing and then place
somewhere to dry (maybe on some kitchen roll).
12. Admire your print. Photograph it or scan into a computer as it may fade over time, so
keep out of strong light.
Make a contact print called an anthotype
Version 2: Any plant, fruit or veggie. Spinach leaves work well, but
experiment! I have tried blackberries too.
Instructions: Mash, grind, blend, smoosh your choice of plant material to get a liquid
extract (called an emulsion). Use an old cloth to strain and squeeze out the juice from the
pulp. Add a little surgical spirit, alcohol, or just a little water if it is a bit thick, but if juicy,
there is no need to dilute at all.
Collect the juice and follow the same instructions as above but you do not need to rinse in
water or borax solution.
If you use spinach extract adding a few drops of vinegar makes the colours bolder. In fact,
many plant extracts (including the turmeric) are pH sensitive so adding a little acid (e.g.
vinegar) or alkali (e.g. baking soda) can change the colours. Have fun experimenting and
making art in the sunshine!

RISK ASSESSMENT:
As with all experiments please be award of health and safety. Use gloves if you have
sensitive skin and do not pick plants if you think (or do not know) that they are poisonous.
Always seek advice first.
Always ask for permission to use anything bought from the pharmacy or anything from
the cupboards at home.

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