[alt-photo] gum--different colors different coating problems?

[Charles Ryberg]

    Paul Viapiano's beautiful prints inspired me to tackle gum, again.  By 
looking at his, I determined that I had been using WAY too little pigment. 
I increased the amount of Hansa Yellow and got a lovely mixture which went 
down on the paper like very high quality wall paint.  No brush marks, no 
streaks, just an even yellow field.  My Perelene Red went down like cheap 
discount wall paint.  Careful application and quick but thorough blending 
gave me a satisfactory field.  But the French Ultramarine looks awful with 
streaks and brushmarks no matter what I do.  I tried    a little Tween     a 
lot of Tween     increasing the gum proportion    increasing the water 
proportion     using everclear (95% ethanol) for half the water.  All ugly.

    Then I read that Paul uses Pthalo blue, so I tried that with some small 
improvement but the Pthalo stains like mad--never gives me anywhere near 
paper white.

    I really have to put the yellow down first because it is opaque and has 
a reputation for making muddy colors if used second or third--so I can't do 
gum over cyano.  Well, I suspect I can't, but I may try it out of 
desperation though what the necessary acid prewash will do to FAB's gum 
friendly size is dubious.

    Any suggestions?

Charles    Portland Oregon