Cyanotype & Watercolor: Painting with the Sun
In Sarasota, sunlight is rarely just a backdrop.
By Edit Sarasota Staff
In Sarasota, sunlight is rarely just a backdrop. It is an active presence—bright on the bay, filtered through palms, and generous enough to become an artistic medium in its own right. At “Cyanotype & Watercolor: Painting with the Sun,” participants will put that abundance to work, making images that begin with the chemistry of early photography and end with the expressive touch of paint.
Cyanotype is one of photography’s earliest processes, known for the rich Prussian-blue impressions it produces when light-sensitive material is exposed to the sun. In this workshop, students will arrange leaves, flowers, and other shapes into compositions on pre-prepared deckled-edge watercolor paper. After the paper is exposed outdoors, the resulting blue-and-white motif becomes a foundation for watercolor, allowing each participant to soften, intensify, or reinvent the image according to personal instinct.
The appeal is partly technical, but the experience is equally about attention: noticing the silhouette of a leaf, the geometry of a stem, or the way a familiar garden form changes when translated into shadow and color. That dialogue between nature and art feels particularly at home in Sarasota, where botanical spaces have long served as places for both contemplation and creative discovery.
The workshop takes place at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens’ downtown Sarasota campus, a setting whose living collections make the transition from garden observation to handmade image especially natural. Selby Gardens has established itself as one of the city’s important cultural institutions, connecting botanical research, environmental education, and exhibitions with the pleasures of simply being outdoors. Participants are encouraged to arrive early and spend time in the Gardens before class, extending the afternoon’s creative process beyond the studio.
Leading the session is Bianca Clyburn of Art on Fire, LLC, a professional watercolorist who will guide students through both the cyanotype process and the painted finish. No previous experience is required, and tuition includes all materials and supplies as well as general admission to the Gardens. Because portions of the workshop may take place outside, attendees should check the forecast and dress for comfort in the Sarasota sun.
“Cyanotype & Watercolor: Painting with the Sun” will be held Monday, October 12, 2026, at the Downtown Sarasota campus, 1534 Mound Street, Sarasota. Questions may be directed to programs-classes@selby.org.