Geranium, red (Pelargonium hortorum) anthotype by Viviane Piccoli

“Untitled” by Viviane Piccoli, Casa Branca, Sao Paolo, Brazil
Parts used: Petals
Quantity: One handful per print, approximately 10 grams
Extracted by: Maceration
Solvent: Tap water and approximately 5 drops of lemon juice
Application: Brushstrokes
Layers: 3
Substrate: Canson Watercolor Paper, 200 gsm
Created with: A fresh flower was placed directly onto the paper and pressed with a contact laminator
Exposure: 8h 50min in February, summer 2026
Temperature: An average of 30–32° Celsius or 86-90° Fahrenheit
Contrast: ✿✿ (Medium)
Challenges or observations: It was necessary to carefully monitor the exposure time, as the days were very hot, which seemed to “burn” the pigment and turn it brownish. Since the flowers were used fresh, they released some liquid during exposure, causing stains and making the paper more humid.
Additional information: Geranium is commonly used as an ornamental garden plant in Brazil. For this anthotype, several red flowers were collected and frozen in December 2025, then used as pigment in February 2026. During preparation, the petals were macerated and a few drops of lemon juice were added to help slow oxidation and preserve the colour. An interesting aspect of the process was the transformation of the red tones during sun exposure, resulting in a vibrant pink.
Instagram: @piccolivm
Website: www.piccolivm.com