Cyanotype on Textile: Fabric & Photo Printing

There is a quiet alchemy to the cyanotype: light-sensitive chemistry, the warmth of the sun, and a few minutes of patience that together yield prints in the deepest of blues. In this workshop, participants will explore one of the oldest photographic printing techniques, learning to prepare fabric with light-sensitive chemistry and compose designs using botanical elements, found objects, or photographic negatives before developing their prints through exposure to sunlight and a simple wash. Working directly with the sun rather than a darkroom, participants will experiment with texture, layering, and image transfer to create striking blue-and-white artworks that sit somewhere between photography and craft. By the end of the session, each participant will have completed their own handcrafted cyanotype textile pieces.

Why Choose This Workshop?
This workshop welcomes participants of every level, from complete beginners to creative enthusiasts looking to try something new — no experience or materials required. Cyanotype is one of the most direct and rewarding photographic processes, needing no camera, darkroom, or complex equipment — just light, chemistry, and a little imagination. Composing with real objects and plants, rather than working from a screen, trains the eye for composition and contrast while connecting participants to the very origins of photography, making this an ideal way to explore alternative photography and spend a few absorbing hours away from the screen.

What Participants Will Learn?
Participants will learn how to prepare and coat textiles for cyanotype printing, and how to compose a design using botanical elements, objects, or negatives. They will work through the full process — arranging their composition, exposing it to sunlight, and developing the print through washing — while exploring the qualities of the medium through texture, layering, and image transfer. Along the way, they will gain an understanding of exposure, contrast, and the handling of light-sensitive chemistry on fabric, leaving with both finished textile pieces and the knowledge to continue experimenting with this timeless process on their own.