[alt-photo] Re: sizing options for color gum
Diana Bloomfield
dhbloomfield at bellsouth.net
Sun Jan 15 22:07:06 GMT 2012
Hey Gord,
I started out with the gelatin and glyoxal, and while I never had an
issue with the actual coating-- all went on seemingly smoothly--I
would still get staining in some areas-- despite using "non-staining"
pigments. I used both Rives BFK and Fabriano Artistico papers. I
then switched to gluteraldehyde and coated outside. In the beginning,
I thought there might be a difference (in a good way), but the more I
used it, the more it seemed to just be more of the same-- except, you
know, more toxic. I honestly didn't see the point. And a couple of
times things came out sort of yellow (probably from using maybe too
much glut?).
Then it was Paul -- and maybe Jim Latimer, too?-- not sure-- talked
about using Gamblin PVA-- and wow-- what a difference. I also only
use it on Fabriano soft-press (haven't tried it on Rives BFK), but it
works like a charm. I use only one coat (put on AFTER the first coat,
where I use only the paper's internal sizing), and then I put just a
thin coat on, which leaves maybe a very slight sheen-- if anything--
and that one coat seems to last for as long as I need it-- multiple
layers, for sure.
As I'm sure I've said before, I don't dilute it, and I get absolutely
no shine or gloss from it, and it does what it's supposed to do. I
did, however make a very large print recently, and I found it a little
more challenging to put a thin PVA layer on such a large print-- so I
did end up with a shine then. So for prints that large (20x20 is
large for me), I do now dilute it 1:1.
I know you're already aware of all this, and this isn't specifically
what you asked-- but I also recently printed an image on Fabriano
soft-press without sizing all, using what was only in the paper. It
did really well, though I felt the third coat wasn't as "clean" as I
would have preferred-- so I just went back to using the PVA. I just
know for sure, using that, that I won't have a problem.
Anyway . . . I'm not sure why people are so reluctant to use the PVA.
I often get the sense here that if it's "too easy and works just
fine," then it can't be right. Something's wrong. I cannot imagine
going back to using anything else, other than PVA, though. I also
tried gesso at one point, but I could never dilute it enough to where
it would work properly.
What is maidstone paper?
Diana
On Jan 15, 2012, at 4:39 PM, Gordon J. Holtslander wrote:
> I'm starting to work with gum printing again. I want to start doing
> color gum from digital negatives. My previous gum work was all from
> very large format pinhole negatives. I've been using Maidstone
> paper. It worked well with my pinhole negatives.
>
> There are a more sizing and hardening options than when I was doing
> gum. I used grocery store knox, hardened chrome alum. I used to
> coat my paper with gum and then soak in chrome alum to harden.
>
> Does higher bloom gelatine make a difference in sizing?
>
> I can't use formalin because I am allergic to formaldehyde, and
> won't use glyoxal for the same reason.
>
> The new options are Gamblin PVA and gluteraldehyde. I'm prepared to
> make a "fume hood" in my darkroom to deal with gluteralehyde fumes -
> I believe its too cold in Saskatoon, SK to size and dry outside in
> the winter. Is gluteraldehyde worth the effort or should I use
> Gamblin PVA or chrome alum?
>
> What are peoples experience with sizing? I've done some
> preliminary work with Gamblin PVA - it looks promising. I tried
> undiluted GAmblin - but it was way to glossy. 2:1 Gamblin appearw
> workable.
>
> Anyone using something different than PVA or hardened Gelatin?
>
> Gord
>
>
> --
> Gordon J. Holtslander
> gjh at shaw.ca
>
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