When I started gum printing twenty five years ago I explored which tools were
available. I discovered that the art brush industry makes brushes specifically
for spreading smooth coats of gum arabic onto water-colour paper as a lacquer to
protect the surface of the finished water-colour. They are called water-colour
lacquer brushes. As to make a gum print one often spreads gum arabic onto
water-colour paper, I thought that it might be a good idea to try them. I found
that they are very effective. The best are sold under the trade name 'Whistler'
and the water-colour lacquer brushes are Series 2. A series 2 No 20 is 20 mm
wide and a No 100 is 10 cm wide. That is the one I use for big pictures. These
brushes spread the gum evenly and thickly enough to give good colour saturation.
They are inexpensive. The big ones cost about six pounds but have to be replaced
every couple of years when the ferrule has oxidised to the extent that the
bristles fall off the handle.
As to paper negs I have used Ilfospeed grade 1, just as it is, for many years.
As to paper I have found that the two most effective papers for me have been
Fabriano 5 and Bockingford.
Many of my most successful prints have been made using this combination.
Terry King