I have taken the opportunity to use these brayers when running gravure and
other workshops, including bromoil, in an etcher's space. I used the top
end of the range model which costs about one hundred pounds. The effect
was very impressive. Where one needs a fair amount of effort to produce a
bromoil using a foam decorator's roller, the image appeared as if by magic
using the expensive brayer with a print with a a full range of tones
appearing very quickly. In fact one could get what appeared to be a
standard silver gelatine print, but in the colour of one's choice, with
verylittle effort. But as I tend to agree with those who believe that the
point of the bromoil is the control one can get using brushes, I did not
rush out to buy an expensive brayer which I might only use twice a year.
A Lawrence brayer with the new Kentmere paper would be a formidable
combination.
Untill Lawrences moved recently to the Clerkenwell Road, they had one of
the most romantic addresses in London. I think it was Number 7 Bleeding
Heart Yard. They stock a wide range of inks suitable for bromoils,
photogravure and photo-etching, and papers, including lintless blotting
paper, and other materials, suitable for the full range of alternative
processes. Their main raison d'etre is as suppliers to the fine art print
market. They are very close to Process Supplies in Mount Pleasant who
stock a wide range of materials for professional photographers and
photographic printers.
Terry King