Toning Cyanotypes...

pmviewcam

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I do like the tannic acid/bleach print of them all. My currently preferred toner is fenugreek: 50gm fenugreek seeds steeped in a litre of boiling water, cooled to about 45-50C, print submerged for about an hour. The result is what is described as a "petrolly-green". The paper is slightly discoloured, but not objectionably so. Annette Golaz's text "Cyanotype Toning" is an excellent source for botanical toning alternatives.
 

Nicholas Lindan

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Tannic acid doesn't bleach, it tones.

A neutral color print with deep blacks can be obtained by immersing a well exposed 'new cyanotype' print in tannic acid.

The resulting image is quite permanent. I stapled a toned cyanotype to the railing of the deck for an entire summer with no image degradation due to the sun and the rain.
 
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Andrew O'Neill

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@Nicholas Lindan yes, of course. That was a typo on my part. I use Sodium Carbonate as the bleach and redevelop in Tannic Acid, quite often I meant to ask him if he first bleaches out the image first, before toning in fenugreek...
 
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pmviewcam

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I've tried both ways. The sodium carbonate/tannic acid approach I got from your video quite some time ago, but last year a friend showed me the tannic acid/bleach approach which I think works as well. Basically a teaspoon of bleach in a litre of warm to hot water, and the same with the tannic acid. I immerse the print in bleach for a minute or so, watching it carefully, then a brief wash, then into the tannic acid. Again, it only takes a couple of minutes to change noticeably.

Some of Wendy's prints on her website: https://www.wendycurriephotography.com/wendy-currie-cyanotypes
 

pmviewcam

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I got a more recent description from Wendy this morning;

"I use one heaped teaspoon tannic acid powder in a litre of warm water. I start by dissolving the powder in a little hot water, then add cold until the temp is warm.
Immerse your print in cold water for about 10 seconds (to get an even coat), then slide into tannic acid bath for approx 1 min.
Meanwhile in another tray put about 3/4 tspn sodium carbonate to 1 litre warm water. Dissolve as above.
Place print in tray & watch carefully. If the blue goes too quickly add more warm water 500 ml. Print can tone within 5-10 seconds. I prefer to tone within 15-20 seconds. Gives more room for error.

I tone outside or somewhere with really good light.
Do tests & don't go back & forth as the print can end up muddy & flat."

Hope this helps.
 

pmviewcam

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Andrew: sorry, I didn't read your post properly. No I don't bleach the print, I just submerge it in the fenugreek solution. I've attached an image to give you an idea of how it comes out.
 

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