How to create a silhouette cyanotype

Welcome! This blog post features a guided tutorial of how to create a silhouette cyanotype. This lesson allows for artists to connect to traditional art methods, explore personal identity and dive deeper into CONTRAST and POSITIVE/NEGATIVE SPACE.

A cyanotype is a traditional photography process that dates back to the mid 1800’s. CYANotype gets its name from its distinct blue color that appears when light sensitive chemicals are exposed to UV sunlight. After exposure, prints are washed in water and the image develops pretty instantly! There is something so magical about taking this antique printmaking method and making creating something new with it.

The art of silhouettes to capture a portrait also has historical roots. Prior to photography, creating silhouette images by tracing someone’s shadow allowed for humans to capture likeness and remembering their loved ones.

**HEY EDUCATORS! SCROLL BELOW FOR A READY-FOR-THE-CLASSROOM LESSON OF THIS PROJECT!*

To create a cyanotype, you have two options:

1.) Pretreated Cyanotype Fabric Sheets (I recommend these from Jacquard). This requires no mixing, painting…. they are ready to go! Just place your items on top, expose in the sun, and wash to develop the image. The recommended size for this project is 8.5″ x 11.”

2.) Cyanotype light sensitive chemicals (I recommend these from Jacquard) that can be mixed and brushed onto your choice. This allows for more customization of size and materials, but does require extra planning and prep.

Step One // Create a Silhouette

To create a silhouette, you can either

1.) Work with a partner and trace each other shadows onto 8.5″ x 11″ paper taped to the wall. Experiment with a lamp in a dark lit room to create defined shadows.

2.) Take a digital photo and use a silhouette creator app. We used an app on Apple called “Silhouette AI.” It worked great and was free with some ads.

Step Two // Cut Out the Silhouette

Carefully cut out the silhouette using a pair of scissors. When it comes to likeness, every contour is important! Take your time and be patient as you carefully remove the silhouette. If there are small “holes” inside, use a craft knife.

It is recommend that you keep the positive (the profile image) and the negative (the area around the profile). You can choose later which piece you want to use for your cyanotype.

Step Three // Choose Items that Describe YOU

Choose at least 5 (recommended) items that describe who you are. It is recommended that these objects are fairly “flat.” 3D objects can cast large shadows that will interfere with your print.

Personal identity objects may be fairly literal, such as objects you carry around with you everywhere such as your house keys. However, consider how objects can define you symbolically (such as a leaf to show your appreciation for nature). Some ideas for objects that print well on a cyanotype include:

• Stickers with detailed silhouettes
• Stencils (great for letters for names and numbers for birthdays or lucky numbers)
• Nature objects (feathers, plants, flowers)
• Jewelry
• Photography negatives or transparency film (from old cameras or overhead projection prints)
• Lace or fabric with holes
• Keychains and keys
• Soda pop tabs
• Puzzle pieces
• Plastic shapes (glow in the dark stars work great!

Step Four // Plan Your Composition

Explore a variety of arrangements. It is also recommended that you explore different compositions using your positive and negative silhouette cutouts. Remember, what is exposed to the sun will turn blue and what is covered will turn light blue/white.

Step Five // Arrange On Top of Cyanotype

When you are ready, quickly arrange your items on top of your treated cyanotype. The slightest wind can blow light objects away, so use the following method to prepare your cyanotype for outdoor elements.

1.) Get a piece of cardboard [or a sturdy surface] that is larger than the cyanotype

2.) Place the cyanotype on top of the cardboard

3.) Place your objects on the cyanotype

4.) Place a piece of plexiglass or glass on top and secure with binder clips.

Step Six // Expose in the sun!

Be sure your print is in direct sunlight and there are no cast shadows on your cyanotype. You can tell a cyanotype is finished exposing when the paper changes color from its original greenish or yellow coating to a grayish-blue or dull blue tone in the areas exposed to sunlight or UV light. This color change shows that the chemicals have reacted with the light and formed the image.

Another way to check is by timing the exposure. Most cyanotypes take about 5–20 minutes in direct sunlight, but the exact time depends on how strong the light is. We live in Florida where the sun is strong, and most prints were ready in about 5 minutes!

Step Seven // Wash in Water

When finished, wash in water until you no longer see any yellow or discoloration in the water. This can be done in water basins or in the sink. If using water basins, change out water as it gets visibly discolored. Your print will begin to appear pretty quickly. Continue to wash until the image is developed and visible.

Step Eight // Let dry!

Leave your print up to dry! You may notice that many cyanotypes will continue to change colors during the drying phase. These can be ironed to take out any wrinkles.

My middle schoolers completed this project in about two 45 minute class periods. We focused a lot on how to show personal identity symbols, and I love how each cyanotype visually describes the individual. Middle school is all about finding yourself, and I love projects that help this important time of soul searching. After the project was complete, we hosted a critique to analyze how various projects printed, exposure time, and overall compositions of the finished products.

Next year, I really want to have students sew into the finished projects with colored thread! I think this could be AMAZING! Let me know if you try it before me, I’d love to see the results!