Plant Based Printing Processes - Online (Summer 2023)

Dates: May 30 - August 15 (11 classes)*

Plant Based Photography


Day/Time: Tuesdays, 6:30 – 8:30 pm ET on Zoom
Level: Beginning – Advanced
Instructor: Anne Eder

Course Description: Get outdoors with this introduction to plant-based printing processes that use light and common plant materials obtained from the backyard, a nearby park, or even the grocery! This class is an introduction to plant-based printing processes that use light and common plant materials! It will cover anthotypes, chlorophyll printing, and other plant-based printing methords. We will meet via online platform once a week for demonstrations and students will then take what they have learned and complete that week’s assignment, returning for troubleshooting, critique, and a new demo each week. In the second half of the semester, we will explore additional related printing methods, with continued emphasis on plant material, sustainable practice, and developing a body of work. *There will be no class held on July 4th for Independence Day.

Image credit: John Joyce

  • Substrates—any good watercolor paper will usually work well, but consider fabric, nonglossy ceramic, wood, or other surfaces.
  • A means of extracting juice from plants—juicer, blender, mortar and pestle—any of these will work.
  • Denatured alcohol (Everclear or vodka will work!).
  • Salt.
  • Cheesecloth or fine sieve.
  • Foam or regular brushes for applying emulsion. Small trays for dipping optional.
  • A contact frame or some pieces of glass (tape the edges for safety, rigid cardboard or equivalent for backing, clamps or clips, tape, or old glass photo frame (no UV glass—we want those UV rays!)
  • Assorted blossoms, petals, leaves, roots, veggies, etc. for juicing.
  • Transparency sheets. These can be drawn on or run through a printer. If you cannot get transparencies, objects may be used such as leaves or flowers or other material that can be flattened for contact with the paper, or you can make a waxed paper transparency (we will discuss this in class).
  • If you have them, small water vials are helpful.
  • Black and white photo paper, any size any finish, short date or expired is okay, as well as fresh of course. Film, either sheet or roll, any size. Expired is fine.
  • For making chemistry: vitamin C (ascorbic acid), washing soda (soda ash or sodium carbonate). Instant coffee.

OPTIONAL

  • Polyester resin
  • Surfboard resin
  • Artist wax
  • Spray Varnish with UV protection

With your registration, you will receive access to a Harvard Google Classroom which will provide a place for sharing of ideas, discussion, hand-outs and will feature recordings of each class. In case you miss a class or would like to review, these recordings will be available for 30 days after the end of the course.

Course Fees: Your course fee covers instruction only.

$25 for Harvard College Undergraduate Students, $440 for Harvard Graduate Students, $440 for Adult Community and Harvard Employee TAP Regular and Long Service.

  • Adult Community: 18+, General Public; Harvard alumni, fellows, Extension School students, and faculty/staff who are not TAP-eligible; students from universities other than Harvard
  • Harvard Employees eligible for the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP): TAP regular (employees worked less than 15 years) and TAP long service (employees who worked 15 or more years at Harvard)
  • Harvard College Undergraduate Students: Currently enrolled students at Harvard College. This does not include Harvard Extension School Undergraduate Students. You must register with your Harvard email – we can arrange for an alternative email to be used for class after registration is complete. 
  • Harvard Graduate Students: Currently enrolled students in a Harvard University Graduate Program. This does not include Harvard Extension School Graduate Students or Harvard University Doctoral Candidates.

All registered students will receive a confirmation with class syllabus, link to the Zoom meeting and a link to the Google Classroom one week prior to the start date.

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Questions?:

  • For questions regarding course content, policies, staffing or facilities, please contact Director, Kathy King.
  • For questions regarding registration, purchase of tools and materials, please contact Administrative Coordinator, Ji-Eun Kim. 
  • For questions regarding electric kiln certification, materials, studio equipment and safety policies, please contact Operations Coordinator, Geoff Booras at gbooras@fas.harvard.edu.