Red flowering gum, common (Corymbia ficifolia) anthotype by Wendy Currie

“Red Flowering Gum” by Wendy Currie, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Parts used: The thread-like flowers
Amount: 2 tablespoons
Extracted by: Grinding and soaking
Thinner: Alcohol, gin
Application: Brushing

Layers: 2
Substrate: Berger cotton watercolour paper, 160 gsm
Created with: Photogram of native hibiscus leaves
Exposure: 3 days in the winter sun in August, winter 2024
Temperature: 19-20° Celsius
Contrast: ✿ (Low)
Challenges or observations: I collected the flowers in the summer, February 2024, but didn’t use them until this winter, August, hence, they had dried out. I wasn’t expecting to get an image, but I was pleasantly surprised with the result. After grinding the flowers to a powder and soaking them in alcohol for an hour or so. I placed the paste into a muslin cloth and squeezed out the liquid. Not a lot of liquid was produced, but I didn’t want to add too much alcohol in case it diluted the mixture. I coated the paper, dried it in the dark, placed the sensitised paper and leaves into a print frame and exposed the image outside in the sun. After exposing the print for a few days, the overall colour changed from a peachy pink to orange. I will collect more flowers next Summer and try another anthotype when they are fresh.
Additional information: The tree is native to Australia.
Instagram: @www999
Website: www.wendycurriephotography.com
Gallery: www.AlternativePhotography.com/wendy-currie/