[alt-photo] Re: sizing options for color gum

[Gordon J. Holtslander]

Maidstone is an inexpensive printmaking paper I get from the University 
supply store.  I thought it was made by Rising, but I'm not sure any 
longer.  Rising was bought out by another company a few years ago. 
Rising made a paper called Stonehenge that I really liked - but after 
the buy out it changed.  I get really bad VanDyke's printing on 
Stonehenge now (not gum related I know ...)

Gord

On 1/15/2012 4:07 PM, Diana Bloomfield wrote:
> 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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-- 
Gordon J. Holtslander
gjh at shaw.ca