Van Dyke

Billie S. Mercer (102165.2342@compuserve.com)
Mon, 02 Feb 1998 10:11:59 -0500

Patricia,
I do Argyrotypes which are a cousin to the Van Dyke process. If you want
to selenium tone try about 1/4 tsp of selenium in 500 ml of water BEFORE
the fix for about 1-2 minutes. I have tried stronger solutions which
bleached the print. The bleached print color was interesting but might not
fit in with your project. As to consistency of color, I have told myself
not to worry. <grin> Just as 10 handblown glasses are not exactly like 10
van dyke/argyrotypes will not be exactly alike. One of the things that
drives you mad with alt process is that anything changes everything. Seems
to me that I have to give up control and just go with the flow.

Billie