Re: Suggestions for sizing gum in an apartment
Good luck, Jeremy....As has been mentioned, I do use the Gamblin full strength. The paper that I use almost exclusively for my gum prints is Canson Montval 140 lb CP oe 128 lb Rough. The full strength coating does impart a slightly glossy surface and a plastic feel. I like the visual impact of the slight sheen as it seems to make the darks a bit crisper. But, the coating will sometimes make applying the gum layer a bit difficult because, as Katharine mentioned, the gum coating resists brushing out without beading up. If this happens, just keep brushing, as it will, in a very short time, cover very nicely. Also, I apply the Gamblin after I have done an initial printing using cyanotype.
Jim On Wed, Aug 19, 2009 at 10:07 AM, Jeremy Moore <jeremydmoore@gmail.com> wrote:
If I can get out of a weekend out of town I'll get down to some serious tests this weekend, but at the very least (if the store does have Gamblin PVA Size as they said they did) I'll try sizing and printing with the Gamblin PVA Size tonight on a small print.
On Wed, Aug 19, 2009 at 11:04 AM, Paul Viapiano <viapiano@pacbell.net> wrote:
It works well with Fabriano EW.
Dilution ranges from full strength to 1:2, and some
use it before the first layer while others lay down a layer first, then size,
esp with a cyanotype first layer. Some even use a diluted coat between layers,
you'll have to see what works for you, if at all.
Katharine, I wasn't referring to you when I
mentioned people using the wrong product. There was a forum where folks were
obviously misunderstanding and using PVA adhesive instead of gum arabic,
thinking that that is what would prevent staining. It was a very mixed up affair
;-)
Oh...and I still owe you an email. I've been very
busy lately and am behind on my replies...apologies.
Paul
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 2009 8:52
AM
Subject: Re: Suggestions for sizing gum
in an apartment
Thanks for the update Katharine. Fabriano Artisitico is a
crisper surface, but the Arches Platine and BFK Rives (I have some of that
hanging out) aren't so the Gamblin PVA Size may work for me. I'm definitely
one to just give it a go and see how it works for me anyway--tried doing gum
over without a size last night, but the stain was unsightly.
On Wed, Aug 19, 2009 at 10:44 AM, Katharine Thayer
<kthayer@pacifier.com>
wrote:
I'm
one who tried it (and yes, I did try the right product) and didn't like it.
I used it at full concentration, since one person who uses it
successfully applies it at full strength, and it gave me a hard, shiny
surface that the gum didn't stick to well, and even diluted by half it was
still too plastic-y for my taste ; any less didn't provide enough sizing.
In a conversation here, (too hurried to look it up in the
archives) I think we agreed that it probably depends a lot on the paper;
Jim uses a more absorbent paper and the stuff soaks in more, while I
use a paper with a very crisp surface (Arches bright white) and the stuff
sits more on top. So I think it's probably a matter of playing around
with concentrations until you get a combination that works with your paper.
While I didn't like it for my own work with my own materials, I would
definitely recommend it for people looking for a nontoxic size; I know it
works like a charm for several people, and I certainly wasn't intending to
discourage anyone from trying it, simply reporting my own experience with
it.
Katharine
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