[alt-photo] Re: Sizing

[Peter Blackburn]

Hi Peter:
 
Your comments are great. I would agree with you that sizing does make for a bit smoother tones. However, for me it still isn't worth the bother and try instead to exploit the tonality I am able to achieve without sizing. By the way, that's why I add AKD size if I am making many layers on one print. It's not because  I am loosing the internal AKD sizing, but because the surface tends to get a bit too rough after many washings and soakings. So adding some AKD restores a smooth surface.
 
In my experience I have sometimes found the opposite true with dry pigments. One would think they would stain less without the additives. But I found several pigments which perform better from the tube than the jar. That said, I indeed use many dry pigments. It's interesting that you use the pigments mentioned in your message. None of those have made my A list—which goes to show there are MANY "nonstaining" and "workable" pigments available for printing on "unsized" Artistico.

Peter J. Blackburn
 

> Date: Mon, 12 Dec 2011 22:23:11 -0500
> To: alt-photo-process-list at lists.altphotolist.org
> From: pfriedrichsen at sympatico.ca
> Subject: [alt-photo] Re: Sizing
> 
> 
> Re Staining pigments
> 
> I have found that the pigment additives must have a significant 
> effect on staining. The surfactants and dispersants that are added to 
> reduce agglomeration of the particles in the tubes, also help to wet 
> the surface of the paper which "sucks the particles deeper in where 
> they stay. When I switched to grinding my own powder pigments into 
> the gum, my staining problems were much reduced even for the same 
> pigments namely quinacridone red, phthalo blue (both green and red 
> shift) and various nickel azos.
> 
> I have frequently printed on Fabriano Artisitco hot pressed with its 
> own built-in AKD sizing. I have found however that tones are smoother 
> when I apply my emulsions to gelatine size. I always get a slight 
> mottling of tones on the Fabriano. This can be good or bad, but I 
> think it is worth mentioning al least if only to emphasize that 
> sizing type and/or amount may affect more than just the degree of staining.
> 
> Peter Friedrichsen
> 
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