Re: Copy of: Re: paper test data for palladium

Judy Seigel (jseigel@panix.com)
Sun, 18 Feb 1996 16:45:44 -0500 (EST)

On Sat, 17 Feb 1996, TERRY KING wrote: > I find that sizing the paper
increases perceived contrast and gradation. Use of > a deionised size
appears to avoid problems of adverse reactions between gelatine > and
platinum.

Terry, is a "deionised size" something you do, or something you buy. I
haven't heard the term before your mention of it.... (Maybe something you
do in England, like Iron (I), (II) and (III), which is clearly just
fallout from all those kings?) Do all sizes get deionized? Just gelatine?
How would one know?

> work of Mike Ware), which is that after the coating has been dried I place the
> paper in the dark in association with a tray of warm water. This ensures that

I note that Mike's Argyrotype (which, the lord willing and if the crick
don't rise, I will try in forseeable future) also uses moisture to affect
print color -- apparently turning brown more purple. Would this work with
plain vandyke brown do you suppose? Also, any advice about the
"association" with the tray, other than don't drop the paper in it? Such
as, do you put it in an enclosed space?

> As to graininess, working with good cotton rag papers should ensure that
it only > arises from overheating the paper after coating and the use of
potassium > chlorate. I find this so offensive that I vary my contrast by

Long ago I did platinum on the then-excellent Strathmore artists 500 with
ammonium citrate developer -- no graininess that I (in admittedly beginner
state) detected. Does k chlorate always cause "graininess"?

Judy