Blue Maple Diptych (30 x 44": PAIR of two Unframed 30 x 22" original cyanotypes)

Blue Maple Diptych (30 x 44": TWO Unframed 30 x 22" original cyanotypes)

These two large cyanotypes are a different shade of blue than most of mine, a rather translucent French blue almost like a dyed silk fabric, rather than navy blue. The leaves are not white but a pale blue with a greenish tint. This is because they were printed on smooth 100% cotton “hot press” watercolor paper rather than “cold press” (rough) paper. Most of my botanicals are printed on heavier more absorbent (textured) cold press watercolor paper and come out a darker indigo blue.

These are two separate unframed unique works on heavy 100% cotton Arches watercolor paper with deckled edges. They will ship stacked together flat in one large flat cardboard box. Each measures 30h x 22w inches.

Cyanotypes are a kind of 19th century alternative (cameraless) photographic process. While traditional cyanotypes are a navy blue background with sharp white silhouettes, I prefer to manipulate the process to achieve varying softer shades of blue instead, rather like aquatint etchings.

The leaves of this print are pale blue and not white. This is a double exposure cyanotype. The different shades of blue are created by exposing some parts of the light-sensitive paper to sunlight longer than others.

All my botanical cyanotypes are one-of-kind monotypes. There is no etched copper plate, no carved wood block, no printing press and no ink to be able to reproduce these images. There is no film negative either. Each is a unique, hand-printed lensless photograph made using real plants from my own garden.