Incidentally, from Jon Tarrant's review of the heliochrome process in this
month's Photon (http://www.scotborders.co.uk/photon/heliochrome.html),
it sounds like the emulsion (a thick white liquid) could be poly vinyl
alcohol (your common everyday PVA glue) sensitized with some sort of dye
(Activator B, which is supplied as a yellow-brown powder in a small black
plastic bottle).
The identity of the photosensitizer seems to be a jealously guarded trade
secret (consult your friendly neighbourhood polymer chemist and save $$$!
(;-) ). I doubt it's dichromate, given the assurances that the process is
absolutely non-toxic. Heliochrome seems to resemble Kwik Print re the need
to size or seal paper. I can't remember Tarrant saying anything about the
tonal range - presumably there's some need to multiple print to build up
density but I'd also be interested to hear more on this.
Philip Jackson
pjackson@nla.gov.au
+********************************************************************+
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 27 Apr 1995 12:55:51 -0400
From: Randy Hemminghaus <RandyKaty@aol.com>
To: Multiple recipients of list PRINTS-L <PRINTS-L@UKANVM.BITNET>
Subject: Re: Water soluable emulsion
Dear Katherine,
I saw your p[osting on the Prints-l listing regarding water soluble
emulsions. You may already have received an information packet from Two
Raven Arts in Montana. They art marketing a line of "Easy to use,
environmentally safe presensitized and uncoated plates(both copper and
zinc-both photo-postive and photo-negative working), liquid photo-emulsions,
biodegradable developer solutions and touch up and etching materials."
The materials sound interesting because of their biodegradability and
relative safeness. I haven't yet tried them but am awaiting a sample packet.
Their number is: Bob Rummel
C/O Two Raven Arts
4100 River Road
Stevensville, MT 59870
(406) 777-2121
I hope this is of help.
Randy Hemminghaus
Galamander Press
New York