Supplies for making anthotypes

The FIFTH World Anthotype Day will be taking place this year from 1st August to 31st October. We know that seems like a long time away, BUT… Don’t make the same mistake again, use a QUALITY paper and start EARLY!

Writer and photography / Malin Fabbri

✿ Open: 1st August to 31st October.
✿ Free to enter, open to all.
✿ Mission: Find unusual emulsions
✿ See the entry requirements

Got all the supplies you need for making anthotypes?

Paper

One key takeaway from previous World Anthotype Days was: “I should have used better paper.” In response, I (Malin Fabbri) have written a series of “Paper basics”. Read about the Basics, Sizing and Buffering. You might also explore the Massive Paper Chart, though it’s more relevant to cyanotypes. Anthotypes aren’t picky – most quality watercolour papers will do fine.
Suggestions for paper (but many more can be used):
✿ Arches Aquarelle example
✿ Canson Watercolor example
✿ Fabriano Bristol example
✿ Kodak inkjet paper example
✿ Seawhite Recycled Watercolour paper example

Brushes

For anthotypes, you can coat paper with a brush, a hake brush, or by dipping. I often prefer a hake brush or foam roller – the hake uses less emulsion, which matters if I only have a small amount. Note that natural hair brushes like Hake will stain, and synthetic ones will not to the same extent.
✿ Hake brush example
✿ Synthetic brush example
✿ Foam brush example
✿ Foam roller example

Frames

Use a good frame that ensures close contact between your positive and your paper. I prefer sturdy hinge-back frames – bull clip frames tend to shift too easily and sometimes bend in the heat during long exposures.
✿ Build a hinge-back frame
✿ Or use a glass picture frame with bull clips (not my favourite!) 

Protection

Emulsions stain easily – both surfaces, clothes and hands. Even in my studio, I cover the worktable with newspaper or a plastic drop cloth. Protect your clothes, too. Wear an apron (we’ve designed a special anthotype one!) and don’t forget gloves, I like the medical ones for a tight fit and better sensitivity.
✿ Drop cloth example 
✿ Anthotype apron – our own design
✿ Gloves example 

Making emulsion

To make the emulsion, I like to use quite a tall mortar and a pestle with quite a long shaft. I find it makes less of a mess and allows me to grind the plant to a pulp. For large quantities, an immersion blender is good!

✿ Pestle and mortar examples
✿ Immersion blender examples
✿ Brown glass jars for storing leftover emulsion

Happy printing!

Malin Fabbri is the editor and founder of AlternativePhotography.com, author of several books on alternative photographic processes, and experiments with a variety of techniques such as anthotypes, cyanotypes, photopolymer gravure, chlorophyll prints, lumens, cyanograms, photosynthesis, pinholes and solargraphs.