Cyanotype Blue - a Magic Story part one
Blue is the world’s favourite colour - something I didn’t know until recently - despite my 25 and more years of research into Colour Psychology - I’d been busy researching the effects of the various shades of blue. It is a colour that has both a rich history and a global favourite.
I’ve asked a lot of children over the years what they think of when they think of the colour blue - the sky and the sea
Producing Cyanotype prints can be so much more than just the gorgeous, deep rich blue that we associate with this historic photographic process. I love to find the pale turquoises, the delicate sky blues and more. These can all be toned with botanic teas, but that’s for another day…
I’ve asked a lot of children over the years what they think of when they think of the colour blue - the sky and the sea. The sky is not really blue, rather it is made from blue light simply bouncing off dust and water particles in the air. As the light is scattered in all directions we appear to see blue sky. But when we use the term blue sky to describe higher thinking, we are referring it to this endless colour above us.
Back in 2001 Tara Hanrahan researched Sky Blue: Colour Match - the true colour of sky using a spectrophotometer at the RCA to gain her MA, where she made a series of shade cards from the colour of the sky.
Blue is calming, the colour known for relaxation and lowered blood pressure. Blue calls to mind feelings of calmness and relaxation and its often described as peaceful, tranquil, secure, and orderly. Blue is seen as a sign of stability and reliability. Shades of blue - we seem to look to nature when we name our colours - sky, peacock, teal, delphinium, hyacinth, bluebell
In Part two, I’m going to write a little social history of the colour blue…
IN THE MEANTIME…
Make sure you’ve joined my Creative Circle - my newsletter that will keep you in the loop with all the news from the studio, new art collections and my upcoming online classes. I share things that I've learned on my artist’s adventures plus books, podcasts and artists that are inspiring me too,
I don’t bombard you and they’re like little letters from a friend… the one that loves nature, is a lifelong maker and inspired by the beauty and fragility of Mother Nature.
