[alt-photo] Re: I know, another sizing question

[Gordon J. Holtslander]

I have a severe allergy to formaldehyde - can't use it. I've used 
chrome-alum to harden gelatin for my gum work.

A few times I've had it discolor my paper - I was hardening by soaking 
coated paper in a chrome-alum.

Never tried adding it directly to a small volume of gelatin - wouldn't 
require soaking if done this way.

Gord

On 9/8/2010 11:40 PM, Trevor Cunningham wrote:
> Disclaimer: I am aware that some prefer not to tolerate beginners in
> this forum, so humor or ignore me then if you have such regard.
>
> Situation: Plain and simple, I have gelatin resources up to my armpits,
> but no access to glyoxal/formalin/formaldehyde unless I steal it from
> work which I won't even consider. This is for gum printing, by the way.
>
> Potential solutions with my limited available resources (Saudi Arabia
> isn't heavy on the art supply front):
>
> * Katherine Thayer has a reassuring article indicating that, with
> some attention to clearing highlights with hot water, unhardened
> gelatin is really not an issue. While I like this, and DON'T wish
> to start an argument here over this topic, I have other factors to
> consider below before I decide how to proceed.
> * I have ample access to gesso. But having used it with cyanotypes,
> wishes there was a way to seal it as much as possible to limit its
> mixture with the emulsion. With the unusual infatuation with
> powdered milk here, casein seems to be exceptionally cheap to come
> by. I remember seeing mention of using casein with gesso, any
> thoughts?
> * I have a bag of Gamblin rabbit skin glue that I purchased in lieu
> of the PVA product with consideration to air travel. Has anyone
> used this glue as a size?
>
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>


-- 
Gordon J. Holtslander
gjh at shaw.ca