Re: First Tricolor Gum (on aluminum)
Loris,
Congratulations on printing tricolor on aluminum!
A couple of observations:
- If you printed cyan, or blue, first, it would be very easy to
register by eye. The red layer may then be dominant, but if you are
going to apply a black, or anything dark at the end, the red/magenta
cast would be toned down.
- You would definitely need a curve specifically for the new surface.
Even with paper, surface differences sometimes require different curves.
- We can buy aluminum flashing already coated with white paint on one
side. If it works, then you would not need to apply gesso and save a
little work.
Again, congratulations and I'll look forward to seeing what else
you'll do with it!
Sam
On Dec 10, 2006, at 11:43 AM, Loris Medici wrote:
Hi all,
I just wanted to share my very first tricolor gum print (a test
print actually) on aluminum (actually on any media). I just
realized that I set a too hard target for a beginner because:
1) Working with aluminum is not easy (have to put two coats of
acrylic gesso + two coats of gelatine/CaCO3 mixture - a trick I
learned from Keith Gerling, tonal range and development is quite
different from what is it on paper),
2) Starting with tricolors instead of (more forgiving) multilayer
monochromes may not be the most logical route to take,
3) Aluminum is a stable support/media but this doesn't necessarily
mean that registration is easier and more successful - you have to
use some kind of mechanical registration / you can't register by eye.
4) The whole process is definitely not for the faint-hearted.
Anyway, the print is here:
http://www.loris.medici.name/Tricolor_Gum_on_Aluminum.jpg
It's still missing the K layer + as you can easily spot the M layer
is not correcly registered. A very rough print...
Anyway, let me express my immense admiration for people who are
able to make wonderful prints with this process. Respect!
Best regards,
Loris.
