Re: Suggestions for sizing gum in an apartment
Thanks, Jim, but actually no, I wasn't talking about any difficulty
in coating, there's no difficulty there, but the difficulty in
retaining the hardened gum layer in development; when the size fills
up the available tooth, there's nothing for the gum to hang onto and
the gum layer will float off in the wash water. That was my problem
with the size; on my slick crisp paper it made a slick hard surface
that the hardened gum would not adhere to. Hope that's clearer,
katharine
On Aug 19, 2009, at 9:41 AM, Jim Larimer wrote:
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 -----
From: Jeremy Moore
To: alt-photo-process-l@usask.ca
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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