Cyanotype: Printing with Light
A course by Fábrica de Texturas
Design Workshop.
Madrid, Spain.
Joined February 2015
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, Design Workshop
Joined February 2015
Learn how to print any type of image from scratch using light
- Best seller Spanish with subtitles in English
- 99% positive reviews (550)
- 12764 students
Learn how to print any type of image from scratch using light
- 99% positive reviews (550)
- 12764 students
- 12 lessons (1h 31m)
- 12 additional resources (9 files)
- Online and at your own pace
- Available on the app
- Audio: Spanish
- Spanish, English, Portuguese, German, French, Italian, Polish, Dutch
- Level: Beginner
- Unlimited access forever
Known as a photographic printing technique, cyanotype is a unique and easy manual process used to create print patterns, used by artists, botanists, and architects for almost 200 years. Through a photosensitive solution that dyes surfaces blue when in direct contact with light, it reveals original prints, with good definition and an intense, unique shade of blue. Xavier and Gabriela, professionals from the Fábrica de Texturas workshop, will guide you through a cobalt-colored journey through the cyanotype universe.
In this course, you’ll learn all the steps required to create your cyanotype prints with ease; from the preparation of the solution, to the creation of images on transparent media or photolith film, to exposing light and fixating color. Discover how to apply your prints onto different surfaces such as paper, fabric, wood, and ceramic, with the use of photos, plants, flowers, and even objects.

What will you learn in this online course?
Course table of contents
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U1U1. Introduction
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U2U2. Materials and tools
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U3U3. Cyanotype application: photography, botany and illustration
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U4U4. Surfaces, turns, and error resolution
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FPFP Final project
Start the course by getting to know Xavier and Gabriela and how they craft their work at Fábrica de Texturas. Then, discover the origins of cyanotype and its evolution throughout history, seeing the different artists that have applied this technique in their illustrations, architecture, and other areas.
See all the necessary tools needed to create your own cyanotype prints at home, and how to prepare the solutions. Learn how to apply them, using fabric and paper surfaces, as well as other methods to obtain uniform or textured results.
Learn about the sunlight process and how to use natural sunlight or alternative sources of UV light to achieve the right intensity and sharp results.
Xavier and Gabriela teach you how to apply the cyanotype technique in three areas: photography, illustration, and botany. First you’ll learn how to prepare digital photographic negatives using Adobe Photoshop, then you’ll do the same process using hand-drawn negatives, to then create your prints using plants, leaves, and objects, known as physiograms.
In the final stage, once you’ve explored the use of paper and fabric surfaces, learn how to use other porous surfaces such as wood or ceramic to create your cyanotypes. You’ll also learn how to modify your final result to change the tonality using natural and chemical elements.
What is this course's project?
Select a type of application (photography, illustration, or botanic) and media (fabric, paper, wood, or ceramic) to print your pattern using cyanotype technique.

Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
For all those interested in learning about this manual photographic printing technique. Illustrators seeking new formats and ways to apply their work, as well as those interested in handicrafts will also enjoy this course.
Requirements and materials
Previous knowledge is not required, however if you have basic knowledge of how to use Adobe Photoshop and photo editing, this will help you in the third unit of the course.
As for materials, you will need: brushes, trays or rectangular containers, a syringe, gloves or tongs, paper and fabric, and it is essential to to course that you have A and B solution: ferric ammonium citrate and Potassium ferricyanide, which you can find in any specialized store.

Reviews

A course by Fábrica de Texturas
Fábrica de Texturas is a 100% “Do It Yourself” project, based in Madrid since 2012. Behind this project is Gabriela Rodríguez and Xavier Robledo, two hand-made design enthusiasts whose philosophy is based on experimenting with artisanal techniques and visual arts to make contemporary, accessible creations.
Their popular DIY kits and workshops have led them to collaborate in diverse types of projects with brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Ikea, Mahou, Fnac or DaWana.
Content
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U1
Introduction
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Presentation
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Influences
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What will we do in the course?
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U2
Materials and tools
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Materials and tools
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Preparation of solutions and application
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Heatstroke tests
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U3
Cyanotype application: photography, botany and illustration
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Preparation of digital and manual negatives
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Insoled and developed photos and illustrations
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Botany and physiograms
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U4
Surfaces, turns, and error resolution
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Other porous surfaces
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Whitening and turning
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Frequent questions
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FP
Final project
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Cyanotype: Printing with Light
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What to expect from a Domestika course
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Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
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Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
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Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
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Certificates
PlusIf you're a Plus or PRO member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
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Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
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Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
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Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
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Watch professionally produced courses
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FAQs
Domestika's courses are online classes that provide you with the tools and skills you need to complete a specific project. Every step of the project combines video lessons with complementary instructional material, so you can learn by doing. Domestika's courses also allow you to share your own projects with the teacher and with other students, creating a dynamic course community.
All courses are 100% online, so once they're published, courses start and finish whenever you want. You set the pace of the class. You can go back to review what interests you most and skip what you already know, ask questions, answer questions, share your projects, and more.
The courses are divided into different units. Each one includes lessons, informational text, tasks, and practice exercises to help you carry out your project step by step, with additional complementary resources and downloads. You'll also have access to an exclusive forum where you can interact with the teacher and with other students, as well as share your work and your course project, creating a community around the course.
You can redeem the course you received by accessing the redeeming page and entering your gift code.
gmodolell
Muy buen curso. Bien explicado. Abre un mundo de posibilidades con la cianotipia. Recomiendo!
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jannick.folly
Très bon cours qui donne toutes les infos nécessaires pour se lancer dans l'univers magique du cyanotype!
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margaloc
¡Fantástico curso! He aprendido muchísimo, lo explican todo genial…¡ahora veo posibles cianotipias por todos sitios!
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eny.pavoncello
PlusUn corso interessante permette di imparare una tecnica diversa
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lena_amberes
I loved this course! The teachers are such friendly people, and they explain everything well. I had done a very short workshop on cyanotype before in my hometown, and this Domestika-course was a perfect way to refresh my knowledge, and learn some new things also. I especially enjoyed the frequent questions part at the end. Every course should have a section like this, where the teachers share their own experiences!