[Alt-photo] Re: 1st attempt

[Laura V]

Thanks Diana for your input. I think maybe I did go a little heavy on 
the pigment. I did use the Payne's Gray to start with (that image I 
posted was taken with a old phone camera so it's probably not that 
accurate) and I do remember having staining problems with blues like 
Pthaylo and Prussian, so perhaps the mix will help that.

I'll have to search for Chia's posts in the archives. I had the pleasure 
of visiting her at her studio when I visited Gothenburg in 2007. It was 
the first time I had seen a gum print in person and I was so grateful 
for that opportunity. At the time, I was unsure whether gum was the 
process for me, but after seeing her work I was so inspired. I have a 
tiny print of hers on my wall, just a simple vase with a flower, but it 
has - something - I love it!

Laura


On 10/23/13 3:12 PM, Diana Bloomfield wrote:
> I agree with Jack about Chris's  book.  I think you'd find it really
 > helpful.
 >
 > I also agree about the pigment suggestion.  One issue I consistently
 > see with the people I've taught is the desire to add more pigment
 > than is necessary, which causes all kinds of problems-- and it's
 > frustrating for them.  My suggestion is to always start with less
 > pigment.  In fact, when I first started making gum prints, I
 > ultimately started making very light prints (not much pigment and the
 > gum and dichromate adjusted accordingly), and what a difference.  I
 > found that I could go back over everything again with a second thin
 > coat, for a richer print.  Eventually, just by printing-- I
 > understood how much pigment I could initially use without having
 > problems.  The blue pigment is also often a problem for people-- not
 > sure why-- but I also sometimes suggest using Payne's Gray instead
 > of, say, Prussian Blue.  For some reason-- though it's very light and
 > soft-- it works well, and it shows people that they can do this
 > process and leaves them less frustrated about the whole thing and
 > more willing to move forward.
 >
 > As an aside, I have been trying Chia's methods she described here
 > some time ago.  I had to ultimately get a new printer, so that slowed
 > me down-- but what I love is using the graphite pigment.   I had a
 > graphite powder which works well, but also a tube pigment.  I really
 > like the tone that it offers-- totally different from just CMY.  But
 > the biggest news-- which I forgot to post-- is that my birthday did
 > roll around, as predicted, back in August-- and all my prints from
 > the Oregon show arrived back here.  They sat in crates on the living
 > room floor for forever until I finally opened them.  And in one of
 > them sat that gorgeous white tulip gum print of Chia's that she'd
 > shown out there.  My husband did get that for me-- and he never said
 > a word, even when the crates sat here gathering dust, unopened.  So
 > it was a big surprise when I finally opened them and saw that print
 > sitting there.  It is so beautiful and, really, so unusual. And it's
 > perfect here in my house as I knew it would be. :)  So if you're
 > listening-- thanks, Chia.  I could not be happier getting to look at
 > this incredible print-- everyday.
 >
 > Diana
 >
 > On Oct 23, 2013, at 10:15 AM, Jack Brubaker wrote:
 >
 >> You will find it interesting (if you haven't already done so) to
 >> search the archives of this list on the subject of gum. One of the
 >> striking things is that many people are making fine prints with
 >> very different methods. Your method is working but I think you want
 >> to fine tune it. If so, while others can share their preferred
 >> methods, you may get fine results by just tinkering. If I had made
 >> your print, I would think about using a thinner coat with less
 >> pigment. Experiment and keep notes. Many printers are now using
 >> less dichromate with good results while saving an expensive
 >> material and having a less toxic process. Again Chris Anderson's
 >> book "Gum Printing and other amazing contact printing processes" is
 >> the encyclopedia of current and historical knowledge. It is
 >> available at: http://www.alternativephotography.com/wp/
 >>
 >> Jack
 >>
 >>
 >
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