Re: Gum preparation

Yves,
Picking up a good siezing method is like going to a chineese restaurant.
Thera are 1500 things on the menu, but only one will do. You need to try one
of the methods, if you like it stick to it.
Marek

>From: Yves Gauvreau <gauvreau-yves@sympatico.ca>
>Reply-To: alt-photo-process-l@usask.ca
>To: alt-photo-process-l@usask.ca
>Subject: Re: Gum preparation
>Date: Fri, 28 Apr 2006 12:57:57 -0400
>
>Marek,
>
>I notice the paper I used up to now was changing in size quite a bit. I
>simply couldn't do more then a single exposure of a 4x5 step tablet on it,
>this mean a larger negative would be a lot worst.
>
>As for sizing, the problem I found is there are to many options to chose
>from and most present some kind of problem (toxicity, time to harden, color
>cast, etc.). I would have thought with the many folks here having varying
>amount of experience that some kind of general concensus would have been
>found on the "optimal" hardener, the one with the least problems and the
>most benefits.
>
>Regards
>Yves
>
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Marek Matusz" <marekmatusz@hotmail.com>
>To: <alt-photo-process-l@usask.ca>
>Sent: Thursday, April 27, 2006 9:39 AM
>Subject: Re: Gum preparation
>
>
> > Yves,
> > You should test shrinkage yourself. I no longer use hot paper soak,
>found
>it
> > unnecessary. I soak paper in warm water for 20-30 minutes.
> > Take a large 20x30 sheet of apper, draw a line along a short and long
>side
> > of the paper, measure it, soak the paper, dry and measure again. Machine
> > made papers shrink differently in different directions. You can repeat
>the
> > soak and seeif the second soak makes any difference.
> > Search the archives for different siezing methods. Your choice is
>gelatine
> > plus a hardener. The hardeners fall into two groups. Group one is
>aldehydes
> > (formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde and gyoxal). Group two is chromium. This
>can
> > be introduces as Cr(III), such as alum, or Cr(VI) and reduced in situ.
> > Other exotic hardeners have been proposed, but not much of a track
>record
>or
> > experience exist.
> > Some people use a mix of gelatine and acrylic medium or gesso. This
>works
> > just fine.
> > I have tried them all and actually do not have a strong preference. Do
> > whatever is easiest and works.
> > Marek
> >
> > >From: Yves Gauvreau <gauvreau-yves@sympatico.ca>
> > >Reply-To: alt-photo-process-l@usask.ca
> > >To: alt-photo-process-l@usask.ca
> > >Subject: Re: Gum preparation
> > >Date: Thu, 27 Apr 2006 05:45:28 -0400
> > >
> > >Hi Wendy and Hamish
> > >
> > >thanks both for the precice info. Wendy, I don't have this book,
>basically
> > >what is a "dot test"?
> > >
> > >Regards
> > >Yves
> > >
> > >----- Original Message -----
> > >From: "Wendy Currie" <wendy@curriephotography.com>
> > >To: <alt-photo-process-l@usask.ca>
> > >Sent: Wednesday, April 26, 2006 7:36 PM
> > >Subject: Re: Gum preparation
> > >
> > >
> > > > Hi Yves
> > > > As part of the preparation for gum printing, I start by immersing
> > > > the paper in v. hot water for at least 20 mins, then hang up to dry.
> > > > When it's completely dry I size the paper.
> > > > As for using dark colours I always do a 'dot test' as explained in
> > > > William Crawford's Keeper's of Light. It's a long boring process,
> > > > but once you have the ratio of colour to gum, it's there for good,
> > > > (so long as you stick to the same paper)! I only use top quality
> > > > artists watercolour pigments such as Windsor & Newton and I only use
> > > > Rives BFK.
> > > > Hope this helps
> > > > Wendy
> > > > On 27/04/2006, at 5:01 AM, Yves Gauvreau wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > Hi,
> > > > >
> > > > > those anyone as a suggestion for preparing the paper in order to
> > > > > minimise
> > > > > shrinking?
> > > > >
> > > > > While I'm at it, I saw many different methods and recipes for
> > > > > sizing paper,
> > > > > any suggestion for that as well (% gelatine + % hardener (wich))?
> > > > > In case it
> > > > > matters, for now I'm thinking of using relatively dark (almost
> > > > > black) colors
> > > > > (monochromes) which imply a strong possibily of staining.
> > > > >
> > > > > Regards
> > > > > Yves
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
Received on Fri Apr 28 11:25:57 2006