copper leaf

Hi awty,
I'm using 'Helmar Crystal Kote Workable Matte Fixative'. My only criteria for it was that it didn't cause any of the inks or paints I use when illuminating pages to run. I have a large-ish box with a string across the inside and a couple of pegs to hang paper from and I spray them outside - this stuff stinks! I got the re-workable variation because I didn't know, before buying it, whether I'd need to spray over the leaf before or after writing up the page.
I hear you about scans being less than flattering to prints made with any type of metallic sheen - I tried to scan a couple of prints made on Argenta Gold and Silver papers. The gold paper looked mustard and the silver just looks like seriously fogged paper. The copper print was actually the only one that didn't fare too badly. If your scan of the copper leaf print you've done looks worse than reality, I can only imagine just how spectacular it is in real life!
About the ortho lith film - it's 10x12 inches and forty years old.... some sheets are mouldy! I did an 8x10 positive one night which I've stuck up on my kitchen window. Just mucking around. The development is uneven and needs a great deal more density, but it was fun and also what prompted the idea of backing a print made on this film with leaf. I just need to find a suitable image.

Thanks for the further insight into your process there and enjoy your experiments. I look forward to seeing the results, particularly given how lovely your first efforts here are!