Cyanotype print of Two Poppies. Size approx 16.5 × 11.7 inches. Limited Edition of 12.

I make each cyanotype print by coating cotton rag paper with a specially mixed light sensitive solution in very dim lighting. (The 100% cotton paper is made in France, using a traditional process.) The coating is mixed from two chemicals, one containing iron salts. I use a large brush and carefully paint on the solution, under a dim light as it is weakly light sensitive.

I then let the coated paper dry. Meanwhile, I have created a negative of my image. This has been tweaked to account for the way that the cyanotype reacts to light exposure. It may be that a print has had many negatives tried before the perfect one is arrived at.

When the coated paper is dry, I sandwich the paper and negative firmly together under glass, and I expose them to UV light.

I rinse the exposed paper in water until the characteristic Prussion blue image appears. I then carefully dry and flatten it.

This print is signed, numbered and dated on the back.