Heliograph Print

Exhibition: In The Moment

Artist: AFA Permanent Collection - Various Artists

Overview

The black and white photographs in the “In The Moment” exhibition were all developed using a photographic printing process called Gelatin Silver printing. This type of printing has been the primary black-and-white process since it was first developed in the 1880’s and uses a light-sensitive emulsion. Light sensitive materials are an important part of the photography printing process. Prior to Gelatin Silver prints being invented, light was being used to create and record images using a technique called sun prints or cyanotypes. If you place objects on a special sheet of paper, expose it to sunlight and then remove the objects, the paper permanently records the objects placements and a silhouette remains on the paper.

A silhouette is an image represented as a solid shape, with its edges matching the outline of the subject. Cutting portrait silhouettes become popular in the 1800’s, just prior to the silver Gelatin print. The portrait silhouette represented an inexpensive and simple alternative form of a painted portrait.

Combining these two original forms of capturing an image, participants will create their own version of a sun print called a Heliograph print using watercolour, paper cut out silhouettes, light and diffusion.

Objectives

Learn traditional low-tech photography processes
Create their own version of a cyanotype with basic art supplies
Craftsmanship in cutting out silhouette designs and planning a composition

Materials

Watercolour paper

Liquid watercolour (Palette watercolours are not intense enough)

Cardboard (slightly larger size then watercolour paper)

Painters tape

Large paintbrush

Spray bottle

Black construction paper

Scissors

Pencils

Instructions:

Step One

Use a pencil to sketch your silhouette shapes on to your black construction paper. Carefully cut out shapes and designs with scissors. Roughly plan your placement on your watercolour paper before you begin to the next step. Set shapes aside.

Step Two

Tape watercolour paper to cardboard to prevent curling when wet. Use a big brush and clean water, coat the surface of the watercolour paper completely. Working quickly, add watercolour making sure the colour is very saturated and intense, as the silhouettes will show up better this way. Spritz with a water bottle to move the pigment and blend brush strokes if desired.

Step Three

Working quickly, dip your cutouts in clean water and then lay the shapes on to the watercolour paper. Use your finger to make sure all of the cutouts have good contact with your surface. You may wish to wear gloves at this stage if you don’t want to stain your fingers with the paint.

Step Four

Once all your cutouts are placed on your surface, take it outside and place it somewhere where it will see direct sun and is protected from the wind. Wait until the paper is completely dry to the touch. Bring your paper inside and gently remove your cutout shapes to reveal your heliograph print. Remove paper from the cardboard base.

Variations

Younger participants can keep their silhouettes very simple by cutting a variety of easy shapes and lines while older participants can create more detailed/complex paper cutouts.

Instead of watercolour paper, try using a piece of raw natural canvas.