Re: bromoil, anyone?

>Good morning all,
> I know this is hard to believe I can think about something other
>than gum, but this week I got the hairbrained idea to use bromoil as
>my technical research project for a printmaking class. I was
>inspired to do so after seeing Tom Micklin's prints in the traveling
>portfolio (so Tom, please chime in here). The hairbrained part was
>deciding to produce an edition of 10 different prints for the
>critique.
>
> Let me say that I have read about bromoil extensively,
>researching it and condensing a workflow for my Experimental
>Workbook, in which is my "quickie" bromoil method. I tested it way
>back when, but no students ever chose to do bromoil, and I was not a
>printmaker at the time which I now am. Thus I am a bromoil neophyte.
>
> I mixed my own bromoil solution and it worked great. This is good.
>
> First mistake: I knew that Ilford papers are resistant to
>bleaching, but did not know if this resistance would entail a longer
>bleach etch time in the bromoil solution. Silly me--just because it
>resists bleaching does NOT mean it resists etching. I bleach etched
>for 16 minutes, and all of those prints (11x14's,) delaminated. It
>was like bromoiling on top of a mordancage. I was NOT happy. I
>should have known this because Ilford is a WONDERFUL paper for
>mordancage--it veils very quickly.
>
> I then reprinted all, using these papers: Ilford MGIV matte,
>Ilford MGIV warmtone pearl, Forte Polywarmtone RC, Bergger VCCB. I
>found out some stuff in my mistakes. For one, Forte RC was by far
>the best! I am surprised. It is glossy, too. Next was the Ilford
>MGIV matte.
The problem is that all the papers you mention are coated with a
hardener (?) to protect against scratching (due to worldwar two) and
therefore not easy to use for bromoil (if yo9u want to, you have to
insert an extra step after drying bleaching/tanning/fixing/washing,
namely a new soak in 50degree celsius, dry again and the start
bromoiling , but even this is not easy. Really the best paper
bwesides the real bromoil ones, is the Kentmere DocArt . If I
remember well Freestyle is selling it under a different name. Just
check. The best and easiest bromoil paper is the one with liquid
light on a 300grs aquarelle paper, but.....
And also here .... see Judy's PF's; no need for books!!!

> Question: what are your fave papers, you bromoilists? Not the
>special bromoil papers, but regular ones. Do you use glossy or matte?
>
> Two, since I ruined the first batch of prints and had to redo
>the whole process with a time limit facing me, I found that an 8
>minute etch was plenty sufficient, and that I could go right from
>the etch bath to inking up with no problem. Thus it wasn't really
>necessary to dry mount press the prints in between the bleach/etch
>bath and printing up as it is said (to make them ink up better).
>
> Question: is there a cheapy brush source anyone can recommend?
>And brush catalog number? I used rollers for this process. On
>Forte RC with rollers you can essentially get back your print to
>looking just like a photograph, which...what's the point...so I
>wanted to try a brush for my next go around. The local drugstore
>did not even know what a man's shaving brush is.

A roller used with liquid light on aquarelle is the look you would
like, I think...
Do not underestimate the brush if you go for larger sizes.

>
> One more question: do you bromoilists print one stop darker and
>duller as a general rule, or something other? Oh, and how long do
>you think a print takes to dry? I was thinking of pressing it
>between baking parchment paper in the drymount press, to prevent ink
>from getting on things.
>
> I guess what I am interested in, really, is any bromoil
>dialogue...so tawlk amungst yurselfs...your workflow, your mistakes,
>anything!
>Chris
The easy way is to bring the ink with a roller, spray with water, and
roll with a clean roller. Believe me.
A dialogue....you know what, there was a lot of dialogue concerning
bromoil , until somebody on this very list invented a specific
bromoil list.
cheers,
Henk

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H e n k  T h i j s  -  P h o t o g r a p h y
photography     http://www.thijs-foto.com
member of F68   http://www.f68.nl
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