Preparations for the Loughrigg image started well. I edited the chosen image on photoshop and inverted it ready to print onto transparent acetate.

I had prepped some watercolour paper earlier in the day and left it in my airing cupboard. In the evening I set up the UV light and exposed the image, before rinsing. I chose not to enhance the oxidisation process with any peroxide, as I knew I would be toning it at some point and didn’t want it to develop too dark.

Unfortunately, quite quickly I began to notice the solution had just washed off the paper – along with the image, dissolving into the cool green tinted water. My suspicions were correct as I pulled the paper from the water to hang. The paper was completely bare.

I tried going through the process in my head to work out what I had done wrong and what I could do differently. It’s possible that it was underexposed but I doubted that, as it had been under the lamp for a good amount of time and previous experiments had shown a success rate at less time.

Then I questioned the paper, but could have sworn I’d used the same paper on previous cyanotypes. I scrawled back through my blog to see a perfectly developed image on the same paper. So, what was it?

I did a second attempt on another piece I had prepped with the solution. This time, I added 10ml of white vinegar as I considered the water may be too alkaline. This did help part of the image cling to the paper, so I was correct in terms of the ph balance of the water, but there was still barely anything remaining on the paper.

The only conclusion I could then come to, was that I hadn’t left the solution long enough to cure on the paper before exposing it to the UV lamp.

This morning I have prepped another two pieces along with two smaller pieces I can test with. It’s a shame I don’t have more drying space otherwise I would prep a lot more. My plan is to leave them for a minimum of 24 hours, but possibly 48 before having another attempt.

I now suspect the curing time is the solution. Time will tell.