Chemigrams and Cyanotypes

Chemigrams
A chemigram is an experimental piece of
art where an image is made by painting
with chemicals on light-sensitive paper.
Chemigrams were invented in the 1950s
by Belgian artist Pierre Cordier.
Johann Schulze is regarded as the first to
obtain a chemigram image. In 1725, he
produced such a work using opaque paper
and a bottle of silver salts. In the 1930s
and 1940s, the German Edmund
Kesting and the French Maurice
Tabard produced pictures by painting with
developer and fixer on photographic
paper.

Chemigram can be negative and positive:

Process:
A chemigram is made by painting with chemicals on photographic paper and
lies within the general domain of experimentation in the visual arts. It requires
the use of materials from silver halide-based photography (light-sensitive
paper, developer, and fixer). The chemigram is made without a camera, yet it is
created in full light instead of in the darkness of the darkroom.
Chemigrams can be made solely with photo paper, developer, and fixer, with
results that will somewhat resemble watercolor.

To create negative image: To create positive image:

 Dip your object into the fixer
and place it onto light sensitive
paper for 40-60 seconds
 Remove object and place the
paper into the developer for
black background (for 2 min.)
 Place the paper into the stop
for 5-10 min.
 Wash it in clean water 5 min.
 Dip your object into the
developer and place it onto
light sensitive paper
 Hold and press the object for
40-60 seconds
 Remove the object and place
the paper into the stop for 30
seconds
 Then place the paper into the
fixer for 5-10 min.
 Wash it in clean water for 5
min.
Cyanotypes

Cyanotype is a photographic printing

process that produces a cyan-
blue print. The English scientist and
astronomer Sir John Herschel discovered
the procedure in 1842. Anna
Atkins created a series of cyanotype
limited-edition books that documented
ferns and other plant life from her
extensive seaweed collection, placing
specimens directly onto coated paper and
allowing the action of light to create a
silhouette effect. By using
this photogram process.
Numerous contemporary artists employ
the cyanotype process in their
art: Christian Marclay, Marco Breuer, Kate
Cordsen and John Dugdale.

Process
In a typical procedure, equal volumes of an 8.1% solution of potassium
ferricyanide and a 20% solution of ferric ammonium citrate are mixed. The
overall contrast of the sensitizer solution can be increased with the addition of
approximately 6 drops of 1% solution potassium dichromate for every 2 ml of
sensitizer solution.
This mildly photosensitive solution is then applied to a receptive surface and
allowed to dry in a dark place. Cyanotypes can be printed on any surface
capable of soaking up the iron solution.
Care should be taken to avoid alkaline-buffered papers, which degrade the
image over time. A positive image can be produced by exposing it to a source
of ultraviolet light (such as sunlight) as a contact printthrough the negative or
objects. The combination of UV light and the citrate reduces the iron (III) to iron
(II).
The result is an insoluble, blue dye known as Prussian blue. The extent of color
change depends on the amount of UV light, but acceptable results are usually
obtained after 10–30 minute exposures on a dark, gloomy day.
After exposure, developing of the picture involves the yellow unreacted iron
solution being rinsed off with running water. Although the blue color darkens
upon drying, the effect can be accelerated by soaking the print in a 6% solution
of 3% hydrogen peroxide. The water-soluble iron salts are washed away, while
the non-water-soluble Prussian blue remains in the paper. This is what gives the
picture its typical blue color. The highlight values should appear overexposed, as
the water wash reduces the final print values.

In chemigrams and cyanotypes we can do a photo without using a camera. Both

processes need chemicals and objects.

In chemigrams we need to use light sensitive paper and in cyanotypes we use

paper for water colours. Chemigrams can be done in room and you do not need
extra light for it. Cyanotypes need dark room and then it needs a UV light.