Vandyke Brown

The Vandyke brown process is often called “the poor man’s platinum print” for its extended tonal range and relative affordability. In this full-day workshop, participants will create prints with rich brown tones while learning how to select and prepare suitable negatives and paper surfaces. We’ll also explore creative ways to combine the Vandyke process with cyanotype, opening up possibilities for layered and hybrid prints.

This workshop is open to those working in either film or digital negatives. For those working in film, please bring long tonal range medium and/or large format negatives that are slightly more contrasty than those used for silver gelatin printing and have a clear separation between highlights and shadows (i.e. those that function the best when printed on grade 1-2 paper).

For those interested in working from digital negatives, you’ll be asked to provide four digital files in advance that will be made into negatives for class. (A $35 fee for the four digital negatives will be an add-on at check out)

Paper and chemistry will be provided by The Halide Project.

Instructor Bio 

Laurie Beck Peterson (b. 1962) is a US based artist specializing in 19th century photographic processes. Her work exploring themes of impermanence and the growth and decay of the natural world. Her most recent work utilizes sustainable plant-based printing methods.

Currently, Laurie teaches her research specialty of the contemporary use of historical photo processes at Tyler School of Art + Architecture. Philadelphia, PA. Her work is exhibited nationally and internationally and is included in many private and public collections. Most recently she was chosen to exhibit at The Royal Photographic Society in Bristol, UK, as part of IPE 164, on view beginning in 2023. She is included in the 2021 selection of Rfotofolio photographers and two bodies of work were awarded at the 15th Annual Julia Margaret Cameron Awards on view in 2021 at FotoNostrum in Barcelona.

Workshop Withdrawal Policy

We recommend choosing workshops with care after reading our withdrawal policy. If you have questions about any of our workshops, please contact dale@thehalideproject.org 

This workshop is generously sponsored by The Phillip and Edith Leonian Foundation.