Re: Use of brayers for bromoil inking

GeneAlt@aol.com
Thu, 20 Nov 1997 08:18:50 -0500 (EST)

> the danger is that the combination with the brush
>technic does not work; it is like travelling with your car and taking the
bike for
>the last part. And please, if questions, no problem, if critics, just first
try
it<

> Both Pete and I would disagree here. Both David and Klaus are being too
> dogmatic in their approach. There is no one way ! A hard gelatine
roller
> works even better than a soft foam roller. Marvellous results can be
> obtained by combining the brush and the roller.

My question to the list was not a matter of IF the brayer/brush technique
works or not. I know that the utilization of both brush and brayer in concert
works, and it works extremely WELL, provided proper rolling action has been
mastered and the combining of the ink applications by both brayer and brush
are properly executed. There are many advantages in the brayer/brush
in-concert method that have absolutely nothing to do with speed.

As with applying ink with brushes, there are many very subtle variations of
ink application with brayers. In fact, it is possible to successfully apply
ink to a bromoil matrix with any number of appliances - not necessisarily
restricted to brushes, or brayers, for that matter. The image and the end
result desired is the key to making the decision on how to apply the ink, and
with what appliance.

There is no right or proper way, and there is no wrong or improper way, of
inking a bromoil print. There are only flexible ways and inflexible ways.
There are only creative ways and dogmatic by-the-numbers ways. However, this
is a really a matter of personal philosophy more so than technique, isn't it?

My question to the list only related to the availability of the high quality
brayers that were once used by Continental bromoilists (as described in the
1922 book by Tennant).

Cheers!

Gene Laughter