When using a printmaking process that requires more than just a room, it means you start searching for possible alternatives spaces. The Studio space here at Currie has a great press and a couple of tables …. but I need a semi dark space to work with the light sensitive solar plates. I need to cut them down to the size and prepare the exposure material and wash them out. There is three bathroom/toilets in the two buildings. I originally set up in a small one in the studio to prep the plates for exposing but there wasn’t room for washing out so had to take the plates across to the other building where I can wash them out.
Using a bathroom/storeroom as a makeshift darkroom
The darkroom doesn’t have to be completely dark the plates can be handled in a room without any direct sunlight, so paper over the windows is enough to work with for a few minutes at a time.
Removing the plates from a box made to keep out all light leaking in.
Solar plates need to be kept in a dark box away from the light but need to be easy to get to, I have made a portable light proof box. This means I can work in different locations if need be.
First exposure with dot screen
My first exposure using a random dot screen… to establish a tonal base on the plate.
Positioning the seaweed
Second exposure with the seaweed in place
The second exposure is using some of the seaweed placed directly onto the plate.
Carrying the exposed plate across to the main building
After the exposure I need to take the plates to the second darkroom to be washed out with warmish water and a brush.
Washing the plate out in other bathroom
Curing the exposed plates in the sun outside the studio
After finishing the plates need to be cured to harden the surface before they can be printed.