Have fun in the sun and make gorgeous artwork while you're at it. Sun prints, also known as cyanotypes, are made using light-sensitive paper that creates beautiful blue images when exposed to the sun. You don't have to be an experienced photographer to make them — it's such a simple process that even kids can join in the fun, and we highly recommend that they do! Honestly, we can't think of a better way to spend a sunny day than foraging for bits of nature and experimenting with your found objects to make some pretty prints.
Light-sensitive paper (also called cyanotype paper)
Tray or baking sheet
Acrylic or glass sheet (such as from a picture frame)
String and clothespins (optional)
Step 1: Gather Gather a variety of items to use as the subjects for your sun prints. Leaves and flowers lend botanical beauty to your art, but you could use anything with an interesting shape, from seashells and feathers, to coins and keys.Step 2: Arrange Working in a room with little to no light, place your sun print paper on a tray with the blue emulsion side facing up. Arrange your subjects on top of the paper, then place the acrylic or glass sheet on top to keep the subjects in place.Step 3: Expose Quickly carry your tray to a sunny spot, outdoors or near a bright window. Let sit 1-5 minutes, until the paper turns mostly white. The longer left exposed, the darker blue it will be (just don't overexpose). If indoors, you can remove the clear sheet for the deepest indigo blue.Step 4: Rinse Remove the sheet, along with your items, and pour water over your sun print or submerge it in a sink full of water. Rinse for approximately one minute. This will stop the chemicals in your sun print paper from reacting to sunlight.Step 5: Dry Either lay your sun print flat on a paper towel to dry, or hang it up with a clothespin.Step 6: Display Once your prints are dry, you're all set to display them as you wish. Try an "artist's studio" look by hanging them with washi tape, frame them for a more refined look, or glue them to cardstock to make stationery! Easy Flower Pressing DIY in Frame Scrapbook Paper Modern Art Ikebana-Inspired Arrangement Show off your masterpieces! Tag #DIYinaDay and @HunkerHome in your Instagram photos for a chance to be featured here! View Online Visit Hunker.com | Support
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