Alternative photographic processes
9 processes mastered by the Picturale ecosystem, organized into three families. All use VP reformulated chemistry — 100% non-toxic, kitchen-doable, with no compromise on print quality.
Monochrome Print
Watercolour paper fibre is dyed through with salts. Pure rendering, continuous tones, natural matte finish.
Cyanotype
Beginner
A vivid and deep cyan blue
Invented in 1842 by Sir John Herschel, cyanotype is the ideal entry point to alternative photography. Iron salts exposed to UV light produce a deep, intense Prussian blue. Development in cold water, no fixer needed.
Van Dyke
Intermediate
The sepia print, elegant and timeless
Iron and silver salt process producing deep warm brown tones. Classic sepia rendering, silver stability — ideal for portraits and landscapes with a timeless quality.
Salt Print
Intermediate
The very first photographic process
The quintessential historical process: salt sensitisation produces tones ranging from pinkish brown to aubergine. A soft, almost ethereal rendering with a natural matte finish that reveals the paper texture.
Pictorial Print
Layers of watercolour superimposed on sized gelatin paper. Photography meets painting: every print is unique.
Aquaprint 4-Colour
Advanced
The precision of photography, the luminosity of watercolour
Gum arabic process in 4 CMYK layers. Each layer is exposed separately with a different watercolour pigment. The result: a polychrome image of unique luminosity, halfway between photography and painting. Brush retouching possible.
Aquaprint Monochrome
Advanced
A single pigment, a painterly rendering
Monochrome version of the gum process: a single watercolour pigment for a rendering reminiscent of drawing or engraving. The pigment choice defines the mood — burnt sienna, indigo blue, or vine black.
Sanguine
Advanced
Inspired by the three-crayon technique of the Renaissance
Warm tones from brick red to burnt sienna, evoking Old Master drawings. Ideal for nudes and portraits. Gum arabic, natural pigments and VP sensitiser on gelatin paper.
Organic Print
Organic materials — pine resin, gelatin, greasy inks — applied on a sensitised gelatin coating. Absolute black, visible relief, painterly gesture.
Carbon (Carbon Transfer)
Intermediate
The highest density of any process
Pigmented gelatin transferred onto the final paper. Carbon offers the most absolute blacks of any photographic process, with visible relief and permanence measured in centuries. A noble, sculptural rendering.
Polychrome Carbon
Advanced
Carbon in colour, multi-layered
Polychrome extension of the Carbon process: multiple layers of pigmented gelatin, each exposed separately, then transferred and assembled. Spectacular colour result with the characteristic Carbon depth.
Bromoil
Advanced
The oil-ink print: velvety, intense, unalterable
Silver print bleached then hand-inked with greasy inks using brushes. Each brush stroke is unique, giving an incomparable painterly character. Total artistic control — every proof is an original.
Resinotype
Intermediate
Charcoal effect with velvety highlights
Modern process based on sensitised resin, developed in isopropyl alcohol. Semi-gloss rendering with warm amber tones, reminiscent of charcoal. Excellent archival resistance and distinctive velvety finish.
Ready to print?
Whether you're a beginner or an expert, the Picturale ecosystem guides you from discovery to exhibition-quality prints.