[alt-photo] Re: Gesso Size for Gum Printing

[Jeremy Moore]

Thanks, Laura!

Sent from my iPad

On Mar 27, 2011, at 11:32 AM, Laura Chenault <lauraechenault at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hello Group...
> 
> Sorry I'm still figuring out how to make a message show up properly and end
> up using the straight "reply"..
> 
> Jeremy asked "Laura, what brand gesso, what color (i'm assuming white), and
> is this the
> ONLY size used?"
> 
> I sent an e-mail to my friend and what follows is her very complete reply:
> 
> I think the key to using Gesso is that.... it needs to be diluted like I do
> it with 2 parts water, because then it actually soaks into the fibers as
> opposed to laying on the surface. I use white, as I like to print on white
> paper. I mostly use Liquitex, but I think any acrylic gesso would work.
> 
> I also shrink my paper first. Let it sit in really hot water for about 15
> min. and then hang up to dry. This helps with registration. Then I mark the
> back side of the paper, and put about 2 coats on each side, letting it dry
> completely in between coats. When I do this part I just let it lie flat
> instead of hanging, so the gesso soaks in evenly. (I use a foam brush)
> 
> Once I tried clear gesso on white paper, and it gave a different effect, it
> was a cyanotype, and the image was sort of greyed out, but with highlights
> still white....was kind of nice effect, but I need to try it again, maybe on
> a cream colored paper.
> 
> I would like to emphasize gum is not my thing... more of a cyanotype,
> acrylic lift kind of girl...
> 
> Oh & thanks for the walk down memory lane with KwikPrint ... I was just
> trying to remember that name this week. That was some fun stuff!
> 
> Laura Chenault
> 415.430.5748
> _______________________________________________
> Alt-photo-process-list | http://altphotolist.org/listinfo