On a cloudy afternoon in late November (20th) I’ve decided to give it a try with the Sunprint Refill Kit.
As a base for this project I used a photo I made in Zürich from the Fraumünster clock arrows. I cut the form with a cutter to use it as a template.
You can buy this at ars-imago committed to photography
I asked for help in CoPilot:
How can I use the Sunprint Refill Kit from Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California, Berkeley?
Short answer: The Sunprint Refill Kit is very simple to use: place an object (e.g., leaf, flower, key) on the special paper, expose it briefly to sunlight, and then rinse it with water. This creates a permanent, deep-blue print – a cyanotype.
🌞 Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare materials
- Sunprint paper (from the Refill Kit)
- A transparent acrylic sheet or plexiglass (to hold objects in place)
- A piece of cardboard as a backing
- A bowl of water
- Objects of your choice (leaves, flowers, small items)
- Arrange objects
- Keep the paper in the shade so it doesn’t get exposed too early.
- Place the objects on the paper.
- Cover them with the acrylic sheet so they lie flat and the outlines stay sharp.
- Expose in sunlight
- Carry the prepared paper into direct sunlight.
- Exposure time: 2–5 minutes in bright sun, longer (5–20 minutes) if cloudy.
- The paper changes from blue to white – that’s when it’s fully exposed.
- Develop in water
- Place the paper in a bowl of water for 1–5 minutes.
- The colors reverse: exposed areas turn deep blue, covered areas stay white.
- Let the paper dry afterwards.
- Your Sunprint is ready!
- You’ll have a permanent, artistic image – a cyanotype.
- Sharp outlines: Use the acrylic sheet so objects press closely against the paper.
- Experiment: Try transparent materials (e.g., glass pieces, plastic film) for interesting effects.
- Longer exposure: In weak light, simply wait longer until the color fades clearly.
- Creativity: Combine natural materials with everyday objects for unique patterns.
In December 2025 there was an exhibition of some Cyanotype paintings from Vivian Ammerlaan in the Singer Museum in Laren, Holland.
Vivian Ammerlaan







