Exploring cyanotype creatively on paper and fabric

Learn how to create simple cyanotypes (blue prints) on paper and fabrics throughout the seasons, using natural light or a homemade lightbox. Then explore a whole range of creative possibilities working with botanical and digital imagery, creating your own designs, adding colour and lettering, and changing the traditional blue of cyanotype to shades of brown. By the end of the course you will be inspired to continue to explore this fascinating technique to make unique artworks.

Ability: Suitable for all
The minimum time required to watch and respond to the video content and complete the tasks is 6 hours. The tutor also recommends how you can develop your work further so that you can continue to use the skills acquired on this course for future projects. Six months of online access to all of the course content.

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Introduction to your tutor Zoë Burt and workshop overview

Getting started

History of cyanotype
Equipment, materials, and health and safety

Workshops

Preparing your materials
Introduction to the cyanotype process
Getting confident and creative with design
Using lettering and words in cyanotype
Incorporating colour in cyanotype printing
Adding brown tone to your cyanotype

Completion and further information

Ideas going forward
Further information and resources

Course includes:

Access to our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) with course content
A series of instructional videos to work through and repeat at your own pace
Practical tasks to complete
Helpful materials suppliers list
Student online gallery where you can post images of your work for tutors to review and comment on
Support from the college and tutors via email should you need it during the course
Additional notes and ideas

You will need:
Equipment

Micro scales
Measuring jug
Teaspoon
Sponge head brush
2 x trays (approx. 30cms x 25cms)
Hairdryer
Optional: Black plastic bags, light proof bottle

Materials

Potassium Ferrocyanide
Ferric Ammonium Citrate
Sugar soap
Good quality paper, 300 grm weight
Coloured paper
Natural fibre fabric
Masking tape

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Zoë Burt is a designer, educator and award winning artist. Trained at Central St Martins, she designed for UK fashion labels for nearly 20 years. Zoë tutors in colleges, universities and facilitates experiential workshops for world class venues that promote the intersection of design, craft and horticulture. Her recent collaborations explore textile design and artistry, using natural dyes.

Zoë's current themes explore the connection between ecology, botanical colour, activism and sustainability. From a young age Zoë has been a botanical explorer with a love for art, textiles and fashion. Her book Nature Journal, in collaboration with Marianne Wie, sold at V&A as part of the Fashioned from Nature exhibition. Zoë loves sharing her skills and continuing to learn about the depth of colour, history and potential in connecting with nature, textiles and people.

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Exploring cyanotype creatively on paper and fabric

Tutor

Zoë Burt

Course content

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