The Van Dyke brown process, named for its similarity in tone to the browns found in Van Dyke's paintings, is a simple and elegant alternative photographic process that yields rich brown-toned images. Below is an outline for a workshop program on how to create Van Dyke brown prints, including an overview of the process and a list of materials needed.
Workshop Programme: Van Dyke Brown Print Photography
Session of 3 hours (2 x 1 1/2 h.)
Date upon request
At TinyGallery, participants can transform any digital photograph—even one taken with a phone—into a beautiful VanDyke Brown print, a process that dates back to the 19th century. The workshop guides them through each step, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern technology to create a unique, handmade image.
The session begins with a brief introduction to the VanDyke Brown printing technique, its history, and its rich, warm tones that give prints a timeless character. Participants are invited to choose a digital image that they’d like to turn into a print. With guidance, they adjust the photo to optimize contrast and tonal balance before inverting it into a negative. This negative is then printed on a transparent film, allowing it to serve as a master copy for the final print.
Next, the focus shifts to preparing the paper. A fine-quality, cotton-based paper is hand-coated with a special light-sensitive solution, which must dry completely in a dimly lit space. Once ready, the sensitized paper is carefully placed under the digital negative and exposed to UV light. This step allows the image to emerge gradually, with sunlight or a UV lamp serving as the creative force behind the transformation.
After exposure, the print goes through a gentle process of rinsing and fixing, which stabilizes the image and brings out its full depth and warmth. At this stage, variations in toning can be explored, adding subtle shifts in color to personalize the final result. Once the print is fully washed and dried, it reveals the unmistakable charm of a handcrafted photographic artwork, each piece carrying its own unique character.
The workshop concludes with a moment to admire the results, discuss the process, and explore ways to experiment further. Each participant leaves with their own VanDyke Brown print, a tangible, one-of-a-kind piece that blends historical techniques with contemporary digital photography.
Introduction
- Brief history of the Van Dyke brown process and its place in the history of photography.
- Overview of the process and what to expect during the workshop.
Materials Needed
- Participants will be introduced to the materials required for the process, which include:
- Van Dyke brown solution (ferric ammonium citrate and silver nitrate mixed with distilled water)
- High-quality, 100% cotton rag paper or other suitable art paper
- A brush or glass rod for coating the paper
- Negatives (digital negatives can be used, printed on transparency)
- A contact print frame
- UV light source (sunlight or a UV exposure unit)
- Developer (a simple solution of sodium carbonate)
- Stop bath (plain water works fine)
- Fixer (Sodium Thiosulfate)
- Washing tray and archival washing aid
- Protective gloves and safety glasses
Preparing the Paper
- Mixing the Van Dyke brown solution.
- Techniques for coating the paper evenly with the sensitizing solution.
- Drying the coated paper in the dark.
Exposure
- Placing the negative on the sensitized paper in a contact print frame.
- Exposing the paper to UV light, timing the exposure based on test strips or experience.
- Discussing factors affecting exposure, such as the type of light, distance from the light source, and characteristics of the negative.
Developing and Finishing
- Developing the print in the sodium carbonate solution to bring out the image.
- Stopping the development process by rinsing the print in water.
- Fixing the image to make it permanent.
- Washing the print thoroughly to remove any residual chemicals.
- Drying and flattening the prints.
Discussion and Wrap-up
- Reviewing the prints created by participants.
- Troubleshooting common issues and answering questions.
- Discussing ways to protect and display the finished prints.
- Providing resources for further learning and exploration of alternative photographic processes.
Additional Activities (Optional)
- Advanced techniques, such as toning or combining Van Dyke brown prints with other processes (e.g., cyanotype).
- Field trip to photograph subjects for creating digital negatives tailored to the Van Dyke brown process.
