“For Malin” by Nan Wollman, Tucson, Arizona, USA
Parts used: bug with web
Amount: About 1 gram
Extracted by: Mashed with a brush
Thinner: Circular image thinned with filtered water, rectangular image with alcohol 70%
Application: Brushing
Layers: 1 to 3
Substrate: Rive BFK, 250 gsm
Created with: Lantana leaves, as shown above image
Exposure: About 2 weeks, July, summer 2024
UV strength: Guessing 9
Temperature: 40° Celsius
Humidity: 7-15%
Contrast: ✘ (Almost none), my foam backing showed far greater exposure
Challenges or observations: Don’t print with one of the best dyes on the planet.
Additional information: From Wikipedia: The cochineal is a scale insect in the suborder Sternorrhyncha, from which the natural dye carmine is derived. A primarily sessile parasite native to tropical and subtropical South America through North America, this insect lives on cacti in the genus Opuntia, feeding on plant moisture and nutrients.
Scientific name: Dactylopius coccus
Family: Dactylopiidae
Genus: Dactylopius
Kingdom: Animalia
Instagram: @nanwollman
Facebook: facebook.com/NanWollman.WollmanStudios
Website: www.wollmanstudios.com
Gallery: www.AlternativePhotography.com/nan-wollman/
Cochineal (Dactylopius coccus) anthotype by Nan Wollman
This anthotype is part of World Anthotype Day
World Anthotype Day - celebrated annually since 2022 was started by AlternativePhotography.com. Our global community of artists celebrates the anthotype process by submitting prints. These works are added to our database here and compiled into reference books. The purpose is to build a large resource where artist can learn which pigments and plants work and draw inspiration from others. The reference books can be found here:
Volume 1 is the first book in the series:
Volume 1 contains 60 unique anthotype emulsions from 103 artists taking part from 31 countries.
Anthotype Emulsions, Volume 1 – The collective research from photographers on World Anthotype Day 2022
Volume 2 is the second book:
Volume 2 contains 100 unique anthotype emulsions from 139 artists taking part from 31 countries.
Anthotype Emulsions, Volume 2 – The collective research from photographers on World Anthotype Day 2023
Volume 3 is the third book:
Volume 3 pushes the boundaries with emulsions not only from plants and pigments, but also from beans, moss and mushrooms. 135 artists shared their research.
Anthotype Emulsions, Volume 3 – The collective research from photographers on World Anthotype Day 2024
Volume 4 will be the fourth book:
In Volume 4 we will combine entries from both 2025 and 2026 into one beautiful double edition to include even more inspiring work, insights, and pigments to explore. The release for the combined World Anthotype Day book is planned for November 2026 – a richer, more comprehensive collection worth the wait.
Anthotype Emulsions, Volume 4 – The collective research from photographers on World Anthotype Day 2025 and 2026
If you want to learn more about making anthotypes there is also the first "how-to" book:
Make prints using plants - an environmentally safe process!The first book solely dedicated to Anthotypes.
Anthotypes – Explore the darkroom in your garden and make photographs using plants
Rated 9,8 - based on 224 votes
And also the Complete Guide and How-To book:
Learn everything there is to know about anthotypes in the updated edition 2 of our popular How-To book.The extended and complete guide to Anthotypes.
Anthotypes - The Complete Guide to Making Photographs with Plants and Sunlight
If you are already practising anthotype printing, we suggest making notes to document and learn:
50 pre-defined pages for you to document your anthotype process.
Anthotype notes – Document your anthotype process
Rated 10 - based on 8 votes
Looking for a good paper to use?
The Massive Paper chart
85+ papers tested in the argyrotype, chrysotype, cyanotype, palladium, salted paper and vandyke brown process.Pure Inspiration = A cross between learning and inspiration
Pure Inspiration #2: COLOUR
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Pure Inspiration #1: COMPOSITES
A fusion of moments and visions from artists working in alternative photographic processes – featuring 90+ inspirational alternative photographic processes images. Highly creative!Our 25th anniversary book
Alternative Photography: Art and Artists, Edition 2
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World Anthotype Day
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