Re: The Gum Project

Richard Sullivan (richsul@roadrunner.com)
Mon, 07 Jul 1997 16:37:29 -0600

Alex Nanson comments and I reply

>>Notes and Observations:
>>
>>2. I am now seeing the gum as a "molecular" binder for the pigment not a
>>substrate or strata. I've always visualized gum and pigment as a layer.
>>This new experiment suggests the paradigm of separate particles of pigment
>>bound up in gum molecules.
>>
>Dick,
>
>As an ex surface coating technologist I have always regarded the
>gum/pigment system as a simple paint, and that for best results the
>pigment must be thoroughly dispersed in the gum. Could I suggest if you
>can get hold of a copy, having a look at 'Surfacing Coating Technology'
>by Henry Fleming Payne. It's probably out of print by now, but if my
>aged memory serves me correctly in Vol. 1 there is quite a lot on the
>mechanics of pigment dispersion. It may be of help in your research.

Sounds like a trip to the University of New Mexico to look this one up. But
it does sound like it has some valuble info in it.

>>4. I am using Cranes Platinotype and don't even know if it is a good gum
>>paper.

>I've been thinking about casting gum films (using a meyer bar) onto
>Mylar which has been treated so that it will accept an aqueous coating.

This too I have been giving thought to. I don't have a Meyer bar but you
described it and it sounds like I could make one, but then maybe you can
tell me where to get one.

Peter Fredrick does some very intersting colloid prints on plastic and I
saw them in Bath. Truly amazing and from his lecture I could tell he was a
great innovator.

>This would eliminate any variables introduced by differing papers.
>What's your view on this?

The problem as I see it is most folks don't want their images on plastic
and from Fredrick's talk I could see that there are things that'll work on
plastic that won't on paper. In all, it seems that plastic is cheating <big
grin>

>BRAVO! Keep up the good work!

Thanks. I am not at this time trying for a great success, I'll be happy if
I can learn something. If we can see what some of the underlying principles
are and then maybe we can go from there.

Dick

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