Re: Gum on Masa

[Keith Gerling <keith.gerling@gmail.com>]

Thanks, Rajul, for introducing me to this paper.  I had very bad
results trying to mount the paper to a firm support.  Air bubbles
would expand and cause all kinds of havoc.  But I can certainly
imagine that how multiple coats would be far easier with a support.

On Mon, Mar 17, 2008 at 10:32 AM, Rajul <eyeear@telus.net> wrote:
> Keith,
>
>  You have demonstrated how sensitive and responsive Masa is, and it
>  befits the subject eminently. Thanks for sharing.
>
>  I work with ~8 x 10's (my trays and sink are a limitation), but I have
>  been able to do anywhere from 5 - 6 gum passes with or without Cyano,
>  slipping in a formalinized gelatin sizing as and when needed. The paper
>  has held beautifully, probably due to
>  the dimensions of my prints, and mounting Masa on a transparent support.
>
>  I am readying a series of prints for the Art Ark Gallery
>  (<www.theartark.com>) for an April showing, the subject being a
>  homestead on a local tobacco farm (a Kelowna landmark) that has had 5
>  generations of a pioneer family witness its gracious aging.
>
>  Rajul
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>  On 17-Mar-08, at 6:30 AM, Keith Gerling wrote:
>
>  >
>  > I've been making gum photos on Masa paper..   Here is a link to some
>  > current work featuring dancers:
>  >
>  > http://www.gumphoto.com/masa/index.htm
>  >
>  > Yes, too many - I'm still editing.  As is usually the case with
>  > on-line gums, only a resemblance seems to exist between the displayed
>  > image and the actual print.  Here is a close-up to demonstrate
>  > detail::
>  >
>  > http://www.gumphoto.com/masa/detail2.jpg
>  >
>  > As I have only used alternative substrates for the last 5 years
>  > (mostly aluminum and gessoed tar paper) it took me awhile to get the
>  > hang of printing on paper, especially a paper as thin as Masa,  I had
>  > to re-learn the entire gumprinting process and to make the learning
>  > curve especially tricky I also am using inkjet negatives for the first
>  > time in nearly nine years.  The Masa I purchase comes in sheets of
>  > 21x31, large enough for a decent sized print and cut in half provides
>  > almost the same perspective, so there is little waste (which isn't an
>  > issue anyway because it is so cheap).  These are all gum over
>  > cyanotype and are 12x18 inches on half sheets.  They were printed with
>  > baby-oiled paper negatives.  Some observations:
>  >
>  > Masa is very thin, so on the positive side, it is 1) inexpensive, 2)
>  > very easy to register multiple layers, 3) very fast to dry.
>  >
>  > On the negative side, it is very flimsy and thus difficult to handle
>  > when wet.  Also, and this is the biggest disadvantage I can see when
>  > compared to other papers,  it gets very disagreeable when one attempts
>  > more than three layers of gum.  I can do it, but it is certainly a
>  > challenge   I'm not a huge fan of using cyanotype as my blue layer,
>  > but my usually practice of adding layer upon layer to build up density
>  > is not an option.  However, it takes a cyano layer very nicely, so
>  > rich blacks can be had fairly easily.
>  >
>  > I'm working now with full sized sheets and the results are very
>  > promising.  The biggest problem is keeping a larger oiled negative
>  > registered while trying to place it under a piece of glass with a
>  > sheet of mylar between the negative and the print.  Much easier with a
>  > smaller print where I can use a contact printing frame.
>  >
>  > Keith
>  >
>
>