Bromoil Techniques

Dennis Carlyle (dgcarlyl@vcn.bc.ca)
Mon, 9 Dec 1996 20:34:13 -0800 (PST)

.. so then Terry King said ...

>> 2. How difficult is it to select different areas, forms in the
>> image and ink them with different colours?

> If you look at early multicolour bromoils
> carefully you will find that the 'bromoilist' has allowed the print to dry
> and then used coloured wax crayons ! It works too ! Good old Crayola !

Hmmm. That sounds interesting. Anyone know how wax crayon would affect
the permanence of the image, if at all?

>> 3. Is it possible to apply the bleaching solution selectively,
> > and thereby end up with a part-silver, part-ink image?

> I have not tried it but I cannot see why not, but try bleaching the whole
> print and allowing it to dry and then masking out the areas to be silver
> before fixing and then remove the rubber solution and expose the whole thing
> to light. Letus all know how you get on.

Arrrg. I'm getting a bit lost, no doubt because I don't understand all
the steps in the process. Best I can figure is that there is a
'fixing' of the bleach solution or reaction, and preventing this in
an area of the print will allow the silver to develop. Reading the
FAQ made me think that the bleaching action by itself actually
-removed- all the silver; but that can't be if you say to bleach the
whole print first.
In any case, your "cannot see why not" got
me thinking "Why would I want to?" then realizing that the two
different 'looks' could be quite different after all ... or only
subtly different, depending on your inking technique.

> Hope this helps

Indeed it does. I've finally started reading the '96
archives, and see that the short FAQ blurb on bromoil makes it
sound much easier than it turns out to be for most people when
they're starting out. But your answers indicate that it's
as flexible as I'd hoped, so I'll definitely give it a wirl some
time in the next year. Thanks.

Dennis Carlyle