How to Make a Cyanotype with Wee Norrag

We're truly overjoyed to introduce you to Angela Macmillan, founder of Wee Norrag, an incredibly talented printmaker who captures the rural beauty of Scotland's seasonal blooms from her home in the Highlands.

Angela began making cyanotype prints in 2012 after the birth of her son, where she took advantage of his afternoon naps to hone her craft. This inspired the adorable Gaelic name for her business which translates to 'little snooze'.

Angela's digital reproductions all start out near her home in Inverness, where she forages only what she needs from the local landscape to create her artworks. From Scottish wildflowers and bluebells to grasses and snowdrops, nature's seasonal bounty features in her beautiful cyan-blue prints.

What is a cyanotype?

This age-old photographic printing method dates back to the 1800s. To begin with, the technique was used for architectural drawings – this is actually where the term ‘blueprint’ comes from. The images are exposed to sunlight and processed in water to produce unique works of art, just like the ones we have here at Òr. 

“Creating a cyanotype is a very experimental process as there are so many variables. Use it as an opportunity to learn from each print and, above all, have fun watching the blues emerge!” ~ Angela Macmillan

How to make your cyanotype 

What you'll need:

• Ferric ammonium citrate & potassium ferricyanide – often sold as a two-part kit

• Watercolour paper

• Paintbrush

• Flat cardboard

• Glass or Perspex – an old picture frame is perfect

• Bulldog clips

• Materials like leaves, flowers, lace, buttons, photo negatives, anything you like for your cyanotype design

• Rubber gloves

1. Put on your rubber gloves and mix equal parts of ferric ammonium citrate and potassium ferricyanide in a clean container. Begin with 5ml of each — you can always add more if needed. This is now your cyanotype mixture.

2. Using the paintbrush, coat the watercolour paper evenly with the cyanotype mixture. Allow to dry, preferably in a dark place.

3. When your paper is dry, place it on the board and lay your materials of choice on top. Place the glass or Perspex on top and secure with the bulldog clips.

4. Place it out in the sun until the paper turns a grey colour, typically around 10-20 minutes on a sunny day. The exposure time will vary depending on location, time of day and how strong the sun is.