[alt-photo] Re: PVA revisited - one size doesn't fit all?

[Christina Anderson]

Thanks for this, Henry. You have inspired me to test the gelatin side by side with PVA, which I have not done at the same time.

What a beautiful print. Your wine bottle looks lovely in it!

Oh how I agree with you that no two gum printers will ever end up with the same workflow.  Writing about it--a workflow--is next to impossible because there are so many caveats and but this too's.

PVA is just too handy not to use.
Chris
Christina Z. Anderson
christinaZanderson.com

On Feb 22, 2012, at 8:57 AM, Henry Rattle wrote:

> Following our discussions last month about PVA and gelatin size for
> tricolour gum prints, I thought you might like to see little comparison I
> did. All the prints were coated the same, same exposure, same development. I
> was interested in the finer detail of the surface produced. It's hardly a
> comprehensive survey - my initials aren't CZA - but thought some of you
> might be interested.
> 
> I tried 
> 1. Saunders Waterford HP preshrunk, with gelatin/formaldehyde sizing brushed
> on (incidentally the hot-pressed surface disappears after the first soak and
> it becomes more like a cold-pressed or NOT surface).
> 2. Compared it with the same paper unshrunk and with PVA 1+1 size
> 3. And with the same again but (following Diana) applying the size only
> after the first (yellow) coat
> 4. And with Fabriano Artistico HP with gelatin/formaldehyde size (the paper
> was pretty slick for the final (blue) coat which came away too easily)
> 5. And with FA HP with PVA 1+1
> 
> I took a scan of the original picture, and then of 50mm (2 inch) squares of
> each print to reveal more of the surface. If you want to see them they are
> on Flickr at:
> 
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/henry_rattle/
> 
> The remarkable thing to me is how different they all are! The conclusion?
> Well firstly that no two gum printers will ever end up succeeding with the
> same workflow. And second that I think I still prefer my
> gelatin/formaldehyde size, although Diana's PVA after the first coat runs it
> pretty close, and is considerably less fuss!
> 
> With best wishes
> 
> Henry
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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