| Hi Marek,
Sorry about attaching that. That wasn't the one-coat that I did yesterday, but the tri-color gum I'd done some weeks ago. I did like it, but I was having so much trouble with printing before I achieved even that. I was using a lot more pigment/dichromate/gum than the mix I mentioned below-- from a standard "recipe" I read somewhere. While I never got streaking, I had a ton of other problems. I then cut way back on everything, based on Chris's suggestion, I think. Sure enough, that made a huge difference.
You're right, though, about keeping notes-- for sure. I admit-- I'm typically very bad about that-- (tending to print like I cook). With attempting gum, though, I've gotten much better about keeping notes. Many of the standard "recipes" I've read, though, suggest using a lot more sensitizer for an equivalent size print. I had no idea I could use so much less (and definitely so much less dichromate washing off) and have it work so well. I'm not sure why the notes in some of these books suggest using so much-- unless I'm simply reading the instructions wrong.
Anyway, thanks Marek.
Diana
On Jun 8, 2008, at 10:49 AM, Marek Matusz wrote: Diana I like your print a lot, although I can see only a very small image and can not downoload it. You arrived as very similar dilution that I have been using. I use 7.5 ml of sensitizer per 11x17 image with about 1" margin around the print. Less then that and can not cover the paprer evenly, more and the solution puddles and streaks before it dries even with the roller.Good notes with gum are essential to your practice
Date: Sat, 7 Jun 2008 21:05:03 -0400
From: dhbloomfield@bellsouth.net
Subject: Re: gum question
To: alt-photo-process-l@usask.ca
Hi Marek,
I'll post the print when it dries. I put another layer on it. Yeah, I normally do size when adding more layers, but I wanted to do a quick print just to see how this toy camera negative would look (to see if it would be distinct or defined (somewhat), or just one blurry mess)- so I didn't bother sizing. And I normally don't dilute, but I guess I used too much pigment (maybe about an inch, or maybe a little less)- this was for a 12x12 image-- and about 3 ml of gum and 3 ml of dichromate. Was that a bad mix? Anyway, it was too thick, so probably too much pigment. But I had the distilled water sitting in my darkroom, where I was mixing, so I just grabbed it and added maybe a tablespoon to this mix-- maybe a little more than that. Seemed to make a watery pale mess once I did that, but I rollered it on, and it turned out great (from my perspective!).
Thanks for that information about why the unsized (one) layer might look better. Here's another thing-- I have some heavy weight Fabriano, and I certainly don't need it for the size prints I'm doing, but every time I use that heavier weight paper, the prints seem smoother and they just look better-- never get any staining, sized or unsized, with that ridiculously heavy paper. It's the same paper as the 140 lb, isn't it? But I swear my results are better every time I use that heavier weight paper. Anyway, I'll take a picture of it soon and post.
Thanks, Marek. On Jun 7, 2008, at 5:55 PM, Marek Matusz wrote: Hi Diana
Yap it is hot here as well. It must be at least 97 here today with humidity index at 105. Good day to stay indoors and print gums. I have been at it all day today working on a project involving 5-7 different pigments printed from RGB separations for a more brilliant tri-color.
Just out of curiosity how dilute was your gum mix. I have to say I print with dilute gum solutions of 30 cc gum/pigment stock, 30 cc water (Houston tap water is fine for gum) and 10 cc dichromate. That makes gum concentration of 9/70=13% in the final sensitizer. This is what I found by experimenatation to be the best for coating with roller in my humidity/paper combination. I think amount of water in the sensitizer matters, as it allows to humidify the paper prpperly. Fabriano Artistico is a great paper for a monochrome gums and I think lighter colors benefit from it not being sized resulting in a darker, better looking print.
It is only for a tricolor (where keeping the clean highlights is absolutely essential) that you can see the benefits of size well enough.
Happy that your gum adventures are taking you in new directions. Can we see your print?
Years ago I printed this gum landscape in home made payen's grey. I love that print, but could never remake that particular shade of grey. I did not keep adequate notes.
Marek
> Date: Sat, 7 Jun 2008 13:20:48 -0400
> From: dhbloomfield@bellsouth.net
> Subject: gum question
> To: alt-photo-process-l@usask.ca
>
> I have a question for all you inveterate gum printers out there. I'm
> still toiling away here at tri-color gum, and I had a mix that just
> seemed too dark and too thick, so I diluted it with distilled water--
> probably too much as it ended up very watery-- but I spread it out
> with a roller, and so it was very even-- but also pretty pale. I
> printed it, though, and the results were amazing. I was using a
> piece of Fabriano that I had not sized-- and I couldn't believe it.
> The result was far superior to some layers I've gotten on a sized
> piece of Fabriano.
>
> So was this just dumb luck, or is adding distilled water a common
> practice? I only did one coat so far, and I like it so much, I'm
> gonna dry this and then size it for subsequent coats, but I could end
> this print now with this one coat, and I'd be satisfied. It has
> detail (well, as detailed as an image from a toy camera negative can
> be), not grainy, very smooth, and no staining. I used Payne's Grey.
> Anyway, so my question-- is there some downside to adding distilled
> water like this on a regular basis, other than the obvious (somewhat
> paler layer than it would be ordinarily, I guess)-- or do people do
> this all the time and just not talk about it?
>
> I guess I should have paid attention to all those gum posts in the past.
>
> Thanks for any suggestions.
>
> Diana
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