Cyanotype Workshop "Making Photographs without a Camera" with Alun in Porto, Portugal

The Cyanotype Workshop "Making Photographs without a Camera" by artist Alun in Porto, Portugal, is a complete introduction to cyanotype.

By the end of the 4-hours workshop you will know how to do the whole process. Next to learning a new creative skill, you will also have some unique pictures and a tote bag, all created by yourself, to take home.

The Cyanotype Workshop starts at Alun’s home. After a warm welcome, you start working for 1-1.5 hours, learning about the history of cyanotype, its chemistry and design aspects, coating some paper and making your first picture. 

Alun shows you some of his own cyanotype works, such as images on paper, felted wall hangings, quilted fabric, silk scarves and origami pieces, to give you some inspiration of how cyanotype can be used. Then you prepare the chemicals and paint some paper.

After the first part at the artist’s home, Alun and you go out to the beautiful Parque de Cidade for about 2.5 hours to make pictures. You return home at the end for a review, any final questions and goodbyes.

About the Artist:
Alun has been making and exhibiting cyanotypes for over 20 years. He loves the creative freedom of making photographs without a camera, working in the sunshine (or cloud, or rain, or ice). Working with cyanotypes has led him to very unexpected places, such as working with Philosophers of Memory. In his artworks, Alun combines cyanotype with origami, textiles and other materials.

About the Cyanotype process:
Making a cyanotype is easy, cheap and fun. Don't be put off by the chemicals (they are very safe to work with), or some of the more complex recipes and instructions you might find. Two iron-based compounds (ferric ammonium citrate and potassium ferricyanide) are each dissolved in water. These are mixed, and together give you a light-sensitive solution.

This solution is applied to a surface (usually paper or textile) and dried. Objects or a negative are placed on the surface, and the whole thing is exposed to ultra-violet light. The best source for this is the Sun!
Ultraviolet rays change the starting chemicals into permanent, insoluble Prussian Blue.
Once the exposure is finished, unused chemicals are washed away, and the final image is ready.

All You Need To Know for the Cyanotype Workshop "Making Photographs without a Camera" with Alun in Porto, Portugal:

Length of workshop: 4 hours

Number of people: 2 - 8 people

Location: At the artist’s home and outside at beautiful Parque de Cidade in Porto, Portugal, or Online.

Price per person: € 52; includes all the materials and an information sheet; home made cookies and soft drinks to keep you going.

Minimum advance booking time: 7 days

Next workshop dates: Monday to Friday, between 9 - 17h, or on request.

To watch Alun's subcultalk we did with him, click here.