Land cress / American cress (Barbarea verna) anthotype by Caro Blount-Shah

“Ferny Coral” by Caro Blount-Shah, Bradford, United Kingdom
Parts used: Leaves and stems
Amount: A handful for each print / 2 tablespoons
Extracted by: Mortar and sieve
Thinner: Vodka and distilled water
Application: Brushing

Layers: 3
Substrate: Arches watercolour paper
Created with: Inkjet-printed OHP positive of a digital photo
Exposure: 4 weeks on a windowsill in July, summer 2024
UV strength: Low (on a windowsill)
Temperature: 18° Celsius
Contrast: ✿ (Low)
Challenges or observations: I chopped the leaves of the Land cress before I put them in the pestle and mortar for mashing. I added the distilled water and a teaspoon of vodka to the bowl and then sieved the mashed leaves. I left the juice for a day before coating it 3 times and drying it in a cupboard. I stored the paper in a black paper folder and exposed the paper with the image a few days later. I have saved the juice in the fridge to do another print, as some plants seem to release the colour more after ‘steeping’ for a few days.
Additional information: The image is from a photo of a coral in a museum and refers to the bleaching out process already stripping life and colour from coral reefs, due to the rise in global sea temperatures.
Website: https://caroblountshah.wordpress.com/