[alt-photo] Re: cyanotype and brushes?

[Earl and Patty Johnson]

Why do you say the glass rod is a bust? I have always gotten my best coating of any low-viscocity alt process sensitizer with a glass rod. I found a surplus store that sells 60 inch lengths of half inch diameter solid glass rods, and I have made many different lengths. I tape the sheets to glass, and then use a baby syringe to put down a bead of the right amount, and I get very uniform results 99 times out of a hundred. I learned the technique from reading Mike Ware's website, and I don't know if I still follow it to the letter. In any case, it didn't take me long to get the hang of it.

My other favorite method is the Jack Richeson 9010 Signature Series brush, which moves the sensitizer around most delicately and uniformly, and does not soak up more than a miniscule amount.

Earl Johnson


On Jun 6, 2010, at 3:07 PM, Trevor Cunningham wrote:

> I've added some images to that cyanotype section of a page which remains in development. My biggest problem right now is controlling how evenly the emulsion is spread. I'm using foam brushes (I know them as brushes used for wood stain) because I can't find a quality brush to save my life here. However, the problem with these is controlling the amount of solution that gets on the page. I have a series of brushes to remove the excess...this does the trick, in part, and produces interesting inconsistencies in the prints, however I'm seeking greater consistency. Can anyone recommend a good brush? I've used hake before and those just slopped solution everywhere...wasn't very impressed (I found foam better for some reason). I remember someone on this list speaking of something along the lines of a squeegee (I know glass rod is a bust for me). Ideas? Has anyone ever tried make-up sponges? The growing collection is here: http://www.chalkfoto.com/Cyanotype/
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