Chokeberry, black (Aronia melanocarpa) anthotype by Clive Pigott

“Unfurling” by Clive Pigott, Wellington, New Zealand
Parts used: Dried berries
Amount: 3 grams
Extracted by: Soaked in water for 4 days to rehydrate
Solvent: Tap water
Application: Brushing

Layers: 3
Substrate: Fabriano artistico watercolour paper
Created with: Drew an image and printed 2 positive transparency sheets (one on top of the other for better UV blocking)
Exposure: 2 weeks and 2 days in October, mid-spring 2026
Temperature: 14-20° Celsius or 57-68° Fahrenheit
Contrast: ✿ (Low)
Challenges or observations: Chokeberries produce an excellent pink/purple dye after soaking and processing, so I had high hopes. However, the juice made with 50% alcohol and 50% tap water did not produce a well-defined image. The winter sunlight was not very strong, and the positive transparency was too thin, allowing UV to penetrate the darker areas. I will try again with a much denser image. The print shown here was made with 100% tap water and a self-designed graphic. I used two registered transparencies to increase density and UV blocking. After two weeks in the sun, I returned it to the window to continue exposing it and see how far the bleaching will go before the blocked areas begin to fade.
Additional information: Getting the chokeberries was not easy. I thought the supplier was in Auckland, but the berries came from Spain!
Instagram: @artfuldodgephoto