Re: cyanotype over B&W print

Terry King (101522.2625@CompuServe.COM)
31 Oct 96 17:02:15 EST

Peters posting on cyanotype said:

>>> A friend made a publicity poster using cyanotypes and kallitypes on the same
>>>paper. At first it looked great. But now, after two years, both are fogging.

>I've made a number of prints combining various processes, including kallitype
>on top of cyanotype and gum and also cyanotype on top of salt prints.
>You obviously get a great deal of bleaching occurring in putting cyanotype
>over a silver image, but in my examples this was not complete and the result
>was a noticeable shift in tone in the cyanotype giving an attractive grey tone
>to the blue - particularly in shadow areas.

I suppose that this a matterof subjective reaction. I just found that the gum
cyanotype combination was more satisfactory as the bleached out
sillver did not give a tone which in my opinion added to the image whereas the
gum cyanotype combination had superaddivity.

>For the kallitype applied over other processes I applied to solution (VDB)
>exactly to the areas required using a fine sable brush.

The kallitype/cyanotype print I was thinking of has been out in the light in the
two years since it was made two years ago. I mentioned it because there is a
risk that this may happen again and one does not wish to have clients asking for
their money back.

>As with a number of questions, the easiest approach is often to just give it a
>try and see what happens.

I fully agree with Peter. In fact it is probably better to give it a try before
coming to the list or consulting the archives.

>Even the things that theory demands will not work
>often turn out to give interesting results.

By trying it oneself one sometimes finds that the theory is wrong ! Be
adventurous !

> Contrary to the experience of
>Terry's friend my mixed prints are ok after around six or seven years.

Leave them lying around in the sun for a few days. Then if there are no adverse
effects, fine.

Terry King