Cyanotype Surface View
Surface Sheen
Cyanotypes have a single layer structure. The Prussian blue pigments rest within the fibers of the paper support. Prints have a matte surface sheen.
Cyanotypes have a single layer structure. The Prussian blue pigments rest within the fibers of the paper support. Prints have a matte surface sheen.
What to look for: Matte suface sheen.
Cyanotype exhibiting almost no reflectance under axial specular light.
Surface Texture
The surface texture of a cyanotype will be the same as that of the paper it was printed on. Hand coated papers will vary. Commercial papers tended to be somewhat smooth.
The surface texture of a cyanotype will be the same as that of the paper it was printed on. Hand coated papers will vary. Commercial papers tended to be somewhat smooth.
What to look for: Depending on the paper, the surface will have a smooth or rough texture. Due to the lack of a binder layer some texture will be present.
Cyanotype printed on highly calendared commercial paper in raking light.
Cyanotype printed on hand coated Japanese paper in raking light.