Mix of Chinese hibiscus, red (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis), Petunia, purple (Petunia × atkinsiana) anthotype by Bengisu Çaygür

“I want to write flowery poems, sir!” by Bengisu Çaygür
Country: İstanbul, Turkey
Parts used: Flowers
Amount: 2 tablespoons of each
Extracted by: Boiling in water to which citric acid was added
Thinner: Water
Application: Brushing


Layers: 3
Substrate: Canson Montval medium grain watercolour paper, 300 gsm
Created with: Laser printed OHP positive
Exposure: 3 days, August, summer 2023
Contrast: ✿✿ (Medium)
Challenges or observations: In order to obtain colour from the flower, boiling in water or exposure to hot water is preferred. Since the amount of water is high, direct colour intensity cannot be obtained; dehydration is required for intense colour, but a colour change is observed in some flower waters at this stage. When the resulting flower water is not sufficiently dehydrated, the colour intensity cannot be obtained and requires layer-by-layer work. Purple petunia has been observed to fade faster than red Chinese hibiscus.
Additional information: This anthotype was inspired by the poem, “I want to write flowery poems, sir!” (“Çiçekli şiirler yazmak istiyorum bayım!”), published in February 1996 by the late Turkish poet, Didem Madak.
Instagram: @bengisucaygur