Summer solstice 2022: Herbal Sun Prints

DIY Herbal Sun Prints for Summer Solstice
On the longest day of the year, the perfect way to celebrate the strength of the sun is with handmade sun prints! This step-by-step tutorial for a summer solstice sun print uses natural materials that can be found in your kitchen pantry.

Tools needed for this project:

• Small jelly jar
• Mug or heat-proof jar
• 1 black tea bag
• Lemon juice (fresh squeezed or a not-from-concentrate bottled brand like Real Lemon)
• Small, flat paintbrush, or cotton ball
• Watercolor paper
• Glass from picture frame
• Teaspoon measure
• 1/4 cup measure
• Electric kettle/Stovetop kettle/Microwave

Make the sun print ink:

1. Boil water in electric kettle or stovetop kettle and pour out 1/4 cup of boiling water into the mug or heatproof jar. Alternatively, you could heat the 1/4 cup of water in the microwave for about a minute, until steaming vigorously.
2. Add the tea bag to the 1/4 cup of boiled water in the mug and let it sit until cool. Transfer liquid to small jelly jar.
3. Measure out 1 tsp of lemon juice and add it to the jar. It may start to look cloudy; this will not affect the performance of the ink.
   
   

Prepare the print paper:

1. Cut the watercolor paper into a size that will fit under your picture frame glass. 
2. Using a small flat artist's paintbrush or cotton ball, begin applying the lemon/tea ink evenly to the paper. You may leave a white border or completely cover the paper.
3. Let it soak into the paper for about 20 minutes, occasionally tilting the paper to help it absorb evenly across the paper.
4. Repeat steps 2 and three to apply a second coat, and allow to dry until the paper is no longer wet to touch.

Making the Sun Print:

1. Go outside and find some fresh leaves! Softer, more delicate leaves will work best. If they wilt a minute or two after picking, they will work well. Dry or thick leaves will not work, as they will not lay flat and will not make as pronounced a mark.
2. Lay out your printing paper on a flat surface outside, in direct sunlight.
3. Arrange your leaves however you would like on your paper, and then place the picture frame glass directly on top of the leaves. Press down carefully on the glass to help the leaves stay flat.
4. Let your prints stay out in the sun for 1 – 2 hours, then disassemble and see how the leaves make marks on the paper! The result below is less pronounced because it was overcast while printing; strong, bright sunlight between the hours of 12:00 and 2:00 pm will produce a higher contrast piece.