Chrysotype is about photographic printing in gold on paper. This 19th century printing process, modified for contemporary use, provides artists with an affordable way to produce permanent prints in gold. By using film or digital negatives, striking hand-coated prints can be created in monochromatic hues ranging from pink, violet, magenta and purple, to green, blue, grey and black.

Chrysotype offers a how-to guide for intermediate practitioners with illustrated examples and simple explanations for each stage of the chrysotype process. The book is divided into three sections: history; preparation and how-to; and the work of contemporary artists using chrysotype.

This book includes:

• A concise account of the invention and modification of the chrysotype process, including early discoveries about gold and colour and the significance of moisture for printing in gold
• How to set up your workspace for printing, including useful equipment and materials
• Advice on safe chemical practice
• A step-by-step guide to creating suitable digital and film negatives
• Guidance on paper selection and how to successfully coat paper
• An overview guide to creating a chrysotype print
• Step-by step directions for creating the chrysotype solutions
• An explanation of mixing ratios and solution volumes that control contrast
• An illustrated explanation of the effect of humidity on colour, including split tone colours and ways to control humidity
• Step-by-step directions on post-exposure hydration to lengthen tonal range and lower contrast
• Step-by-step tray processing directions
• Advanced techniques such as handling translucent papers, additional chrysotype formulas and procedures, and alternative developing agents that support longer development, colour formation and remedy problems that affect image quality
• Troubleshooting chrysotype printing, including advice and photographic examples
• Illustrated profiles of contemporary artists making chrysotype prints, including their methods and tips

Chrysotype serves to inform, encourage and challenge a new generation of alternate process practitioners and a growing chrysotype community, from the newly curious to the experienced professional.

About the Author

Leanne McPhee is an award winning Australian fine art photographer and researcher with works held in public and private collections in Australia, China, Italy and the United States. She has demonstrated expertise in a variety of alternative photographic processes, particularly chrysotype and salted paper printing. McPhee is a regular contributor to national and international symposia, delivering hands on workshops and has published both technical and creative works. To see her work, visit leannemcphee.com.

Reviews

'Chrysotype is a complex process with many variables yielding different results. This book corrals those variables into a clear path to a certain result'

Jim Patterson

'Leanne McPhee has written an outstanding volume on the chrysotype process for photographic printing in pure gold, which can produce beautiful prints in colors ranging from pink to purple to brown, black, or blue. The book covers the history of the process along with very detailed and thorough practical instructions, and includes contributions from contemporary chrysotype artists to show the wide variety of excellent work that can be produced.'

Mark Severson, Chemistry Professor and Alternative Photographic Process Artist

Book Information
ISBN 9781138345003
Author Leanne McPhee
Format Paperback
Page Count 200
Imprint CRC Press
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 820g