Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens) anthotype by Patricia Bromberger

“Hydrangea Blossoms” by Patricia Bromberger, Los Osos, California, USA
Parts used: Petals
Amount: 3 heads for each layer, for a total of 9 heads
Extracted by: Grinding petals in a blade grinder
Thinner: 30 mL 91% isopropyl alcohol and 10 mL distilled vinegar. I let it sit for 60-90 minutes, then filtered the solution through a coffee filter.
Application: I applied the emulsion immediately to the paper using a sponge brush.

Layers: 3 layers, with each layer dried in between applications
Substrate: Arches 250 gsm watercolour paper
Created with: Black and white photo printed on an inkjet printer as a negative
Exposure: 9.5 hours under 100 W 450 nm UV light at 10″ distance. Printed in August 2025
Contrast: ✿ (Low)
Challenges or observations: Very light pigment extracted of a pinkish, purplish hue, and multiple petals are necessary to produce any pigment at all. The darker the flower, the darker the colour. I tried multiple exposure times up to 18 days in intermittent sun with no real improvement in the contrast. A UV light box produced the best image. The emulsion unexpectedly reversed the exposed areas turned dark and the blocked areas of the negative white. The pigment produced a negative image, with the exposed pigment turning a tannish/yellowish colour. I would not say this is a good pigment for an anthotype.