Re: dark gums

[Catherine Rogers <crogers@optusnet.com.au>]

Hi Ilana,

Ilana
Some time ago I remember someone (whose name I will remember after sending
this email I guess) making wonderful monochrome prints by mixing carbon
powder (with which black ink is made) with gum and working with it as gum
printers do. The carbon powder was/is available in shops which sell gear for
Chinese calligraphers. Lovely results. You can find some of his prints in
early editions of the late lamented Pinhole Journal. His name is Jeff
.....(well that's a start). Very simple and effective technique. He didnt
use it to make dark and moody images but I imagine that a little exposure
experimentation with nboth the neg and the print will get you there

all the best
CAtherine


Ilana wrote:


> Hi all,
> I am relatively new to gum printing. My goal is to make dark [brown,
black,
> deep blue] monochromatic gum prints. [Some may suggest I use a different
> process, I realize that]. I'm looking for advice/support [if this had been
> talked about in another thread, please direct me] on preparing the
> negatives--in terms of density, contrast and the ink/gum combo to get
> richness and detail. I know it is a matter of testing things but I thought
> any extra advice I could get would be useful.
>
> Thank you,
> ilana swerdlin
>
>