Anthotypes

An Anthotype workshop is suitable for all, from beginners to those experienced in other alternative photographic processes. This one day course will give you sufficient knowledge to start making your own sustainable images. Anthotype, is an 18th Century process made using the juices of botanicals some of which are light sensitive, exposing these juices to extended periods of light bleach the colour, therefore if we creatively block the light from parts of the coated surface it will create an image, this is a fugitive process but it is a fun one. 

Looking at the wide range of botanicals from those easily available in your kitchen and garden to those found in the wider environment participants will learn how to identify plants that have potential, how to research safely the collection and use of the plants, which could include the likes of spinach, marigold, tulip, beetroot or nettles and many more. A brief overview of the history of Anthotypes and the difference between these and other similar processes. We will start with easily sourced botanicals like blackberries and even spices such as turmeric and move on to other more fibrous plants that need more work to break down. The tutor will explain and demonstrate how to do this manually. The participants will first experiment with making turmeric prints creating their own emulsions and coating a variety of papers such as watercolour, cartridge and printmaking papers. While these dry participants will then move onto other examples and cover a range of colours and plants with longer exposure time frames. Using different applicators including brushes which will be provided. You will learn how to coat chosen substrates including cloth. This process can be used with both 2D and 3D items as well as transparencies, you will learn how to use digital positives as opposed to the usual negatives used in other processes.

The anthotype process is a slow methodical activity and not designed for the impatient. Everyone attending will leave with a range of both pre coated and exposed prints, this will depend on the current external UV levels and the speed of the participant. Attendees will then be able to take these home and expose them slowly at their leisure in the sun. Information sheets will be provided but notebooks should be brought. If you have existing ‘positive transparencies’ that you would like to use please bring them with you. Due to the extended exposure times attendees must be aware that this workshop will mostly be about learning the skills and processes involved in preparing substrates for exposure.

Ky Lewis, is a multi-disciplinary artist, curator, workshop facilitator based in South London with a practice centred on experimental photography and printmaking. Her interests are the intersection of connection human to environment, landscape, cycles of life, environmental activism concerning the urban forest. environmental site responsive works. Images imbued with atmosphere and emotions are redolent of her time in the landscape. Process driven she works with printmaking methods drawing in the landscape directly onto Tetra Paks or making sketches whilst making long exposure pinhole photographs. A sustainable approach to image making a concern her practice is expanding and moving toward more sustainable methods of image creation. Trained in graphics, then illustration and printmaking at Camberwell School of Art she worked as a freelance illustrator for many years and has facilitated in outreach alternative education communities. She has been Artist in Residence for over ten years at SHED Rotherhithe and AIR at both Sissinghurst and Stoneacre National Trust properties. She has exhibited nationally and internationally with awards from PX3; Denis Rousell; Julia Margaret Cameron Awards, TIFA; NYC4PA; Fix Photo Festival. Shows include “Breathe-A Dialogue with The Urban Forest” HYG 2023; OPP Künstlerwerkstatt Freiburg Germany 2024; Bainbridge Open The Handbag Factory London 2023; ”Enlighten”Griffin Museum of Photography 2022, Boston; Plaxall Gallery New York 2022 Forthcoming shows include, Ironbridge Fine Arts, Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair and Brighton Photofringe as both curator and exhibitor.