Hey there! Today, we’re going to learn about something super cool called a sun print. It’s a fun way to make art using just paper, water, and sunlight. Let’s dive in and see how it works!
A sun print, also known as a cyanotype or blueprint, is one of the oldest ways to take a picture. This amazing technique was first discovered by Sir John Herschel in the 1840s. Later, his friend Anna Atkins used it to make pictures of seaweeds, and her work became the first book ever to have photos!
Making a sun print is easy and fun! Here’s what you need to do:
After rinsing, you’ll see a beautiful picture! The parts of the paper that got sunlight will turn dark blue, while the parts covered by the objects will stay light.
The magic of sun prints happens because of a special mixture on the paper. When the paper is exposed to sunlight, the ingredients react and create a blue dye called Prussian blue. This dye doesn’t wash away with water, so when you rinse the paper, the blue color stays where the sunlight hit, and the rest remains light.
Now that you know how to make a sun print, why not try it yourself? It’s a fun way to create art and learn about science at the same time. Find a special place to hang your sun print and enjoy your masterpiece!
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Experiment with Different Objects: Try making sun prints with various objects like keys, toys, or flowers. Observe how different shapes and sizes affect the final picture. Ask yourself: Which objects create the most interesting patterns? Why do you think some objects work better than others?
Sunlight Observation Journal: Keep a journal for a week to observe how sunlight changes throughout the day. Draw pictures or write about what you see. Think about these questions: How does the sunlight in the morning compare to the afternoon? How might this affect your sun prints?
Create a Sun Print Gallery: Make several sun prints using different objects and display them in a mini-gallery at home. Invite family members to view your artwork and explain how you made each print. Discuss which prints are your favorites and why.
