I'm attempting a tri-color gum print. But I can't even get as far as
the first layer yet! My first coat seemed very viscous as I spread it
on, not as thick a coat as I remember the process being. I am using a
mask over the image to have a clean boarder on the print.
After exposing for 10 minutes under my UV table, I began washing the
image in warm (80 degree) water, using the normal method as described
in "Keepers of the Light". After 20 minutes of repeated changes of
clearing baths, the pigment was still coming off the paper. The next
thing I knew, the entire image flaked off and washed away. Well,
almost the whole thing -- the complete coating area on the paper
remained stained, brush strokes and all!
Since I was using lamp black pigment, on Arches cold press block
paper, I thought that either I hadn't exposed long enough, or I'd put
in either too much or too little pigment. I also looked at the
percentage of sensatized mix -- 2cc gum mix, 2cc potassium
dichromate, and 1/2 inch of tube pigment. So, I gave up on the black
and decided to try the yellow layer instead. Same problem! I have
stains all over the paper where I applyed the coating, but no image
on the paper -- no highlights, no shadows, just a yellow blob!
So, what am I doing wrong? Is my gum mix "bad"? I read in "Keepers"
that the gum can "sour". Well, it does have a wierd odor, but I'm not
sure that that's what it is. The chemicals have been in storage for
over a year, from the last time I used them. Is it possible for them
to "turn" over this period?
Any ideas, anybody?
Glenn Cannon (glennon@netcom.com)
http://www.newart.com/cannon