Chemigram by Bridget Conn

Chemigrams are an experimental type of cameraless photography that uses resists, such as varnish, oil, or wax, to create abstract, and oftentimes unpredictable, images on light-sensitive paper. Chemigrams were invented by Pierre Cordier in 1956, and he proclaimed chemigrams to be, “Most likely, the ultimate adventure of gelatin silver bromide.”

In this workshop, you will learn the basics of this fun process and how to incorporate different kinds of mark-making — including painting, drawing, and printmaking processes — into your chemigrams. Instructor Bridget Conn will give an overview of how chemigrams work, demonstrate a variety of tools and methods to explore mark-making, and give guidance on how to achieve control over value, texture, and even color.

Workshop participants will have plenty of time to get hands-on with the process, and the workshop will end with a mini-critique, when students will present their most successful piece.

All materials for the workshop are provided onsite and in the cost of the workshop. Participants are encouraged to bring their own resists to experiment with, including lotion, lipstick, nail polish, and honey.

This class is suitable for all beginners, or those who want to expand their knowledge of the various ways chemigrams can be made. Basic darkroom experience is helpful but is not required.

For more information and to register, click here.