Making my own blueprint | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

This video demonstrates the process of making cyanotype using Prussian blue pigment and explains the chemistry behind it.

Key Insights

• ❓ Cyanotype is a process that has been used historically to make blueprints.
• 🤩 Ferric ammonium citrate is a key component in the cyanotype solution, which reacts with potassium ferrocyanide to form Prussian blue pigment.
• 🛀 The YouTuber demonstrates the process of making ferric ammonium citrate from scratch and shows how it can be used to create a cyanotype.
• 🙂 The final cyanotype image is a result of the chemical reactions between the ferric ammonium citrate and potassium ferrocyanide when exposed to UV light.
• 💄 Cyanotypes are now largely used for artistic purposes, but were originally used in industry for making blueprints.
• 🌱 The YouTuber plans to create a follow-up video exploring the cyanotype process in more detail, including using it to develop digital photos.
• 💄 Making the ferric ammonium citrate involved using chemicals such as ferric chloride, citric acid, and ammonia solution.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: What is the cyanotype process?

The cyanotype process is a photographic printing process that uses a light-sensitive solution to create blueprints directly on paper. It involves forming Prussian blue pigment on the paper through exposure to UV light.

Q: How is ferric ammonium citrate made?

Ferric ammonium citrate can be made by reacting ferric chloride with citric acid. The YouTuber in the video follows a procedure from the 1950s, downscaling and altering it to make the compound.

Q: What is the role of Prussian blue pigment in cyanotype?

Prussian blue pigment is used to color the cyanotype solution. When exposed to UV light, the ferric ammonium citrate in the solution reduces to iron two-plus ions, which then react with potassium ferrocyanide to form Prussian blue on the paper.

Q: How is the cyanotype exposed to UV light?

The paper coated with the cyanotype solution is placed under a transparent template and exposed to direct sunlight for a specific duration. UV light catalyzes the degradation of ferric ammonium citrate, causing it to react with potassium ferrocyanide and form Prussian blue in the exposed areas.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The video explores the cyanotype process, which involves forming Prussian blue directly on paper using Prussian blue pigment.

• The YouTuber makes ferric ammonium citrate from scratch using ferric chloride and citric acid.

• The ferric ammonium citrate is then used to create a light-sensitive solution, which is applied to paper and exposed to UV light to form a blueprint.