Mimosa tree / Pursian silk tree (Albizia julibrissin) anthotype by Christine Fernandes

“Cosmos” by Christine Fernandes, Tyrone, Pennsylvania, USA
Parts used: Leaflets stripped from stems
Amount: About 2 cups of leaf material, approximately 20 medium-sized fronds
Extracted by: Blender
Thinner: 2 caps full of denatured alcohol
Application: Black sponge and hake brush

Layers: 2
Substrate: Hahnemühle Platinum Rag, 300 gsm
Created with: Positive image of photograph on transparency paper
Exposure: 5 days, taped to southern-facing window, in August, summer 2024
UV strength: Average 7
Temperature: Average 88° Fahrenheit
Humidity: High, 60%
Contrast: ✿✿ (Medium)
Challenges or observations: Leaves were easily stripped off by pinching and running fingers down the length of the stem. The blended leaves were very dry and yielded little pigment. The liquid was sage-green and slightly foamy. It spread very evenly on the paper. Two cups of plant material (stripped leaves from approximately 20 compound leaf fronds) yielded barely enough liquid to coat one piece of paper two times. I suggest cutting 40+ leaf fronds for additional coats.
Additional information: Bleaching went very quickly even though it was overcast and rainy during exposure. If it had been sunny for more than a day, I think it would have been ready in 2-3 days instead of 5.
Instagram: @fernandesphotography2024