Llanilar Workshop
/ Jake Rayson / 4 min read

Ysgol Llanilar Workshop 3

Ysgol Llanilar Workshop 3
Artist Marian Haf with students putting together the exposure board for the cyanotypes.

A cyanotype is a monochrome print made by placing objects on a pre-prepared light-sensitive surface†

What I have absolutely loved about the Stori Wyllt workshops so far is the range of activities and the different types of engagement (clay making, charcoal baking, bubble blowing, story telling, crayon rubbing & more).

At Ysgol Llanilar, I am entranced by making cyanotypes, the Prussian Blue tinted proto-photographic method of objects on light-sensitive paper, and artist Marian Haf has already helped the students create some truly gorgeous pieces.


Some initial student cyanotypes, with much more play to come

And I think what has worked well is splitting the groups up. I had some vague notion that maybe the naturalist and the creative would work more directly together but this is actually really difficult in the limited amount of time (two hours), plus a smaller group is far more manageable if there is concentrating work to be done.

What has also worked is a combination of classroom and outdoor work; Sheena started off with some potted plants and samples indoors, and then tried our hands at pond dipping, a walk around the pond and a trip to the river. And the students can then bring the outdoor back inside for closer, drier investigation.

† quote from gathered magazine

Sheena talking plants with students in the school.

Sheena talking plants with students in the school.

Student examining a potted rush plant.

Student examining a potted rush plant.

Abandoned nest found by Sheena the ecologist on a footpath.

Abandoned nest found by Sheena the ecologist on a footpath.

Nature group out at the front of the school, looking at plants in the school grounds before setting off for the river.

Nature group out at the front of the school, looking at plants in the school grounds before setting off for the river.

Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris) in flower by Llanilar pond.

Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris) in flower by Llanilar pond.

Sheena pond dipping with students (very clear with no visible invertebrates!)

Sheena pond dipping with students (very clear with no visible invertebrates!)

Sheena tried pond dipping in Llanilar pond, without much success.

Sheena tried pond dipping in Llanilar pond, without much success.

Hydrophoria lancifer fly on a tree leaf by the pond.

Hydrophoria lancifer fly on a tree leaf by the pond.

Some sort of plum tree?

Some sort of plum tree?

Sheena describing the two different ferns coming into leaf (Buckler Fern and Male Fern I think).

Sheena describing the two different ferns coming into leaf (Buckler Fern and Male Fern I think).

Fiddle heads of fern.

Fiddle heads of fern.

There is plenty of the invasive non-native plants Japanese Knotweed (Reynoutria japonica) and Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) down by the river Ystwyth in Llanilar. Sheena is pointing out the very fast growth in just a matter of weeks.

There is plenty of the invasive non-native plants Japanese Knotweed (Reynoutria japonica) and Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) down by the river Ystwyth in Llanilar. Sheena is pointing out the very fast growth in just a matter of weeks.

Small Caddis Fly case on the underside of a stone from the river Ystwyth.

Small Caddis Fly case on the underside of a stone from the river Ystwyth.

Rocksitter Flies, sitting on the, er, rock.

Rocksitter Flies, sitting on the, er, rock.

Combination of Primrose and Columbine to make a new flower, left intentionally by the river.

Combination of Primrose and Columbine to make a new flower, left intentionally by the river.

Student gathering Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum) flowers and a leaf for the cyanotype arrangement.

Student gathering Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum) flowers and a leaf for the cyanotype arrangement.

Student collecting apple blossom for the cyanotype arrangement.

Student collecting apple blossom for the cyanotype arrangement.

Grey Poplar (Populus x canescens) leaf.

Grey Poplar (Populus x canescens) leaf.

Student holding Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris) flower and ragwort leaves, for the plant arrangement for the cyanotype print.

Student holding Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris) flower and ragwort leaves, for the plant arrangement for the cyanotype print.

Gorse (Ulex europaeus) flower, down by the river Ystwyth.

Gorse (Ulex europaeus) flower, down by the river Ystwyth.

Students taking photos of a mushroom sculpture, to use as a background texture for a cyanotype print.

Students taking photos of a mushroom sculpture, to use as a background texture for a cyanotype print.

Student arrranging leaves for a cyanotype print.

Student arrranging leaves for a cyanotype print.

Arrangement of plant material for cyanotype.

Arrangement of plant material for cyanotype.

Students with iPads, arranging plants.

Students with iPads, arranging plants.

Student arranging plants for the cyanotype print.

Student arranging plants for the cyanotype print.

The paper is dipped in light-sensitive chemicals and put on a board.

The paper is dipped in light-sensitive chemicals and put on a board.

Artist Marian Haf with students putting together the exposure board for the cyanotypes.

Artist Marian Haf with students putting together the exposure board for the cyanotypes.

The boards with the paper and plant arrangements are flattened with a clear acrylic sheet and left outside in the sun for some minutes, depending on how sunny it is (not very sunny on this day!).

The boards with the paper and plant arrangements are flattened with a clear acrylic sheet and left outside in the sun for some minutes, depending on how sunny it is (not very sunny on this day!).

After being exposed to light, the paper is removed and the solution is washed off with water, leaving a cyanotype print.

After being exposed to light, the paper is removed and the solution is washed off with water, leaving a cyanotype print.

Cyanotype print with an inflorescence of flowers.

Cyanotype print with an inflorescence of flowers.

Cyanotype print with a diagonal arrangement.

Cyanotype print with a diagonal arrangement.

Sheena very kindly made a list of all the plants she could see on the school grounds. This is grasses and flowers.

Sheena very kindly made a list of all the plants she could see on the school grounds. This is grasses and flowers.

And this is the plant list for flowers continued, and then plants between slabs.

And this is the plant list for flowers continued, and then plants between slabs.

Reflections

Jake

  • Art paper for feedback!
  • Split group size works well
  • Landscape orientation for photos!!
  • 16:9 proportion is best for website & social media

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