Full silhouette Cyanotype:

For the next step I needed to make a full body silhouette Cyanotype. I previously practiced with my hands and this experiment was successful. I then attempted to do one with some old mixture but this unfortunately didn't turn out well. Learning from theses experiments I decided to make sure that the Cyanotype mixture I used was freshly made and to paint the whole sheet of calico on in one evening instead of spreading it out over multiple days. 

I then left it overnight to dry properly and mid afternoon the next day I found a sunny area in my back garden to put it out and lay on it. I made sure that the grass was freshly cut and I lay out some blankets to try and give myself as flat a base as possible and stayed there for about 30 minuets. 

to wash it off I places the calico on to of a clothes horse and placed it in the shower and the way I was able to rinse the fabric properly. Last time I only held it up with my own hands and I found that the fabric would fold over on itself and that I couldn't wash off all the areas which resulted in a patchy look. However, learning from this and using this new system I was able to wash every area resulting in a really clear and contrasted image. 

I think that this piece has been very successful, The silhouette is clear with a stark contrast between the dark, royal blue and the paler beige areas. Just with these colours and the contrast I think that it immediately creates a visually bold piece of work. In terms of the lines and form, the edges of my silhouette seem to be slightly blurred and not crisp. The tones also differ with a slightly lighter blue around the edges, I think that this adds depth to the work but also makes the image seem as if it is floating. I think that this characteristic is especially effective when the fabric is hanging up, as it seems as if the image is moving. Another aspect of the work that makes it seem as if it moving is the fact that my silhouette is slightly off centre, in my haste to lay down on the calico as quickly as possible I misjudged my positioning and was slightly more towards the top of the fabric. This seems to reinforce this fluid, flowing atmosphere and movement happening within the piece. When I look at this piece I am reminded of an ultrasound, there is this sense of peace and a calm atmosphere that is invoked. The curled up foetal position creates a feeling of youth and comfort and the dark blue background creates a sense of weightlessness within the work. I wanted to recreate the comfort that can wrap around a persons subconscious when they are having a good dream and I believe that I have done this successfully. 

This is my first finish piece out of the three wall hangings and I am feeling very positive about this development.