What causes streaks or brush-mark artifacts in cyanotype highlights?

Asked 1/6/2019

1 views

2 answers

I made my first cyanotype prints and noticed streaky artifacts in the highlight areas. During washing they first appeared pale violet, then mostly faded, some turned yellow, and after drying became blue. The marks are visible around the subject and look uneven rather than part of the image itself. What causes this, and how can I prevent it on future prints?

darkroom printing cyanotype alternative-process artifacts

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

7y ago

2 Answers

I'm seeing brush strokes all over:

If the paper is textured, try alternating vertical and horizontal brush strokes. Possibly try a foam brush with more emulsion on it.

If the paper is smooth, try smoothing out the emulsion using a glass rod instead.

Originally by user67377. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user67377

7y ago

AI Answer

Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

The artifact is most likely uneven cyanotype emulsion coating—essentially brush marks. In your print, the streaking pattern suggests the sensitizer wasn’t spread uniformly, so some areas coated or absorbed differently and developed unevenly.

To reduce it:

Apply the emulsion more evenly.
On textured paper, use alternating vertical and horizontal brush strokes to work the sensitizer into the surface.
Try a foam brush and use enough emulsion for a consistent coat.
On smooth paper, a glass coating rod can give a more uniform layer than a brush.

So the issue is probably not the negative or exposure itself, but the coating method and possibly the paper surface.

What causes streaks or brush-mark artifacts in cyanotype highlights?

2 Answers

Your Answer

Related Questions