cyanotype application on alternative surfaces

PHilferty@aol.com
Fri, 19 Apr 1996 12:26:13 -0400

I joined the list just as it was switched over to the new server and am
slowly getting a taste of what may or may not be ongoing threads. I am very
interested in figuring out a way to apply cyanotype to a colored gesso
doorskin or plywood surface and actually have it stick. The information I
have so far is that it needs to be applyed to natural fiber materials, such
as Arches cold press paper or cotton fabric to be successful. Some of the
directions I'm considering include sanding the gessoed surface to promote
tooth, forgetting the gesso entirely and instead, using a sanding sealer to
seal the pores and raise the grain, and dyeing the surface before applying
the cyanotype.

Ideally (if that's the proper term), I'd be layering colored underpainting or
gessoed base surface onto 1/8" doorskin, protecting that surface, then
applying cyanotype, making an exposure and then bleaching out the blue with
T.S.P. and toning the image with tannic acid.

Oh yeah, I'm also experimenting with diazo silk screening emulsion as a
medium to carry ceramic underglazes and fire photo images onto clay
surfaces... it working, but the image quality is pretty nasty, so far.

Please forgive my cluelessness. I'm a graduate student at San Jose St.
University, who was accepted to the program on the basis of his ceramic work,
not photo. Although I do have photo, film and video experience, it's not what
you'd call deep. Thanks in advance for any input you can provide.

Patrick Hilferty
E-Mail: PHilferty@aol.com
Web Page: http:members.aol.com/PHilferty/www/ResumePage1.html