Wendy Currie's Vandyke workshop

Vandyke 19th Century photographic printing process - Wendy Currie
14 November 2010 9:30 – 4:30pm

Pre-requisites: Basic experience in darkroom

Course Objective: To give students a complete working knowledge of the Vandyke photographic printing process, so they can create images of aesthetic worth independently.

Course Outcomes:
(1) Skills/knowledge –
By the end of the course the students will have a sound working knowledge of vandyke printing and will have produced several images.

• An understanding of why the chemistry works, and how to handle it safely.
• Types of papers
• Importance of using special brushes
• Coating techniques using or glass rods or brushes
• Drying without ‘fogging’ the print
• How to calculate correct exposure
• Developing out the print, and understanding why the colour changes and what to look for
• Types of negatives used and different ways of making them
• Using objects to make photograms

(2) Personal –
An appreciation of the artistic potential of this alternative photographic process to create modern works. Learn what sorts of images work best and gain confidence in the ability to recreate images independently.

(3) Practical –
By the end of the course the students should have a minimum of 4 images. Notes of all tests and final prints which include types of paper used, exposure & developing times.

Course Content

Explanation of Vandyke printing process:
• Brief history
• Examples of my work and explain how they were done.
• Will bring a selection of books on alternative printing processes
• Explain which types of images work best and why.
• Importance of understanding the chemistry used – how it works, safe handling of raw materials and the correct way to mix the stock solution to reduce precipitation.
• Types of brushes, sponge paddles or glass rods
• Acid free papers
• Demonstrating different coating techniques using glass rods and/or brushes
• Importance of drying the paper
• Placing negatives and paper in contact printing frames or using found objects.
• Exposing a print in the sun or UV lightbox
• Developing the print and the importance of washing out all the silver and how and why the colours change. (N.B will be developing pints under low lighting conditions)

Materials

• Students will need to bring their own negatives (a list of different ways of making negatives will be sent);
• bring some found objects to make photograms (optional)
• notepad and pen
• old clothes or apron

Tutor will supply all other materials such as paper, class notes, chemistry, gloves, contact printing frames, brushes, sponge paddles glass rods, etc. trays, UV light boxes etc.