Until I received Malin and Gary's book on Cyanotypes the only information I'd got was the 1947 BJP Almanac which devotes a whole paragraph to the subject, oh yes and a little book of formulae whose recipe was out by a factor of 100! they shall remain nameless :-)

The subject is covered in great depth with detailed instruction on every aspect of the process, the work will be a reference book for the newcomer to the process and very useful to those with a good deal of experience.

As well as being a superb introduction to the process the book will also be an inspiration to anyone who reads it. Until I read it I'd never tried to tone a Cyanotype, now I've done lots and they look great, as good if not better than Van Dyke Browns. Unlike the silver based processes Cyanotype is also eco friendly using only small amounts of water, a rinse rather than hours of washing.

I think that the Cyanotype is well suited to industrial, nude and woodland images, one can obtain a far better impression of the subject, one with more impact than a detailed photograhic print.

Thanks Malin & Gary.

Jim Read

I've had the book for a couple of weeks now, have read all of the text and am still studying the illustrations. This isn't a drawing primer, there's none of that, 'now draw a sphere' sort of thing, you are expected to know something abut drawing or endure a steep learning curve, having said that though, please do read on.

Before I bought this book I was a 'smudger' shifting the graphite around the page using a tortillon with all the disadvantages of trying to find the 'right' paper and being unable to correct mistakes. The cross-hatching method can be used on a variety of papers, but I would recommend anyone starting drawing to use one that will take a lot of erasing, a Bristol Board or Fabriano 5 being amongst the best.

The illustrations in the book are not of the self congratulatory kind, each complete work is broken down into a series of detailed close ups. By studying these you can make out the actual marks on the paper and see properly how the contours are achieved. When I first started drawing I found myself very timid at making my marks with the inevitable result; a wishy washy drawing! Anthony's book gives you the permission you need to make deep black marks, to use edges for shadows and to make bold white highlights.

The text gives an insight not only into the technique of drawing but also how Anthony feels about it. His feeling of absolute joy at a perfect curve comes across very strongly and is an inspiration to the reader, I feel as though I have found a friend.

Cross-hatching is more difficult than 'smudging' no doubt about that, but, I can say that after finishing one image and being half way through another it's going to be my preferred method of drawing. I only wish that I'd seen the book earlier and used the technique from the start.