Chemigram

[BJ68]

Here are my first results in the chemigram process:

a) RC-Paper with home made resist:

The resist was washed away very fast....because it was to brittle....


b) Changed concentration and added a plasticizer and got better results:

c) Home made Collodion:
Left over pieces of NC https://www.sartorius.com/shop/ww/en/usd/applications-laboratory-filtration/cellulose-nitrate-(mixed-cellulose-ester)-membrane-filters-type-11306/p/11306--25------N with Et2O/EtOH 4% (m/V) @ FB-Paper:
Dektol (1T Stock + 2T water) und sodium thiosulfate as fixer.

Developer was going through the resist.....

d) Tried with higher concentration: 7% (m/V) @ same paper and same chemistry:

Little better results.....but more or less same problem as above....

e) X-Ray-Film with "Home made Resin"
https://www.fujifilm.eu/eu/products/medical-systems/film-and-screen/p/super-rx
Blocked the back layer of this film....and got this result:

Nice pattern.....but the blue is not so nice....

There where many other trials, which I do not show.....to find the reason for the "stickiness-problem".....it turns out one part was the FB paper, where the developer/fixer goes through the back side and pushes the resin away. Coated one paper back with Plastik 70 http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/318249.pdf and voila the stuff sticks again....


f) "Big" Chemigram with "home made resin" @ ILFORD Multigrade FB Warmtone 1K - Naturglanz (Baryt) 24,1x30,5 CM without back cover.....

bj68

 

[AgX]

For those unaware of chemigrams, look at this site dedicated to its pioneer Pierre Cordier:
http://www.chemigram.com/

 

[BJ68]

Nice Thesis over Chemigrams:
https://openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au/handle/1885/107091

Trying to formulate resists, chemistry from chemicals and not using ready made products....e.g. https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/chromoskedasic-painting-second-try.160425/
Reason: You know what you get....and reformulation of the product or discontinue the production is no worry.....and on the other hand it´s fun to play around with chemistry....

bj68

 

[awty]

Very cool. Must look into it.

 

[BJ68]

Few more:

bj68

 

[removed account4]

great stuff you are posting !
looks like you have found a great resist that works the way you can expect ..
looking forward to seeing more

John

 

[Daniela]

Your work is beautiful, @BJ68 !
I learned about chemigrams by randomly visiting a Paolo Monti exhibition in Milan, and tried them for a while. Something to revisit, for sure!

 

[BJ68]

Short Update....

 

[James Guerin]

Wow your improvements are evident. I love your results.. I am just starting to play with them and have a big stock of paper including some metallic gold and green ones.
How do you achieve the 'cells' look? I love it. Do you have a lay a mesh or is it by scoring the paper?

 

[BJ68]

No very easy...

I use a resist made of Polystyrene and "Balsamterpentinöl" (balsam turpentine oil), coat the paper and dry it, after that use a ruler and a scalpel to cut lines in it. In the way of processing the squares get loose and you get the pattern.
Fun fact...you can use the red box of Mon Chéri Pralines, which is made of red PS...then it´s easier to see the coating....

Edit: These pictures are made on completely exposed photo paper with emulsion on it....and you are switching from developer to fixer and reverse, for getting this patterns.

bj68

​

 

[Daniela]

Fantastic work! It's nice to see how it evolves too.
What exactly do you use the red box for?

 

[BJ68]

Take the red box and crush it to pieces, than put this in a bottle and add balsam turpentine oil and let it sit for a while, you will get a red solution, which you can use as resist for the chemigram. Has the advantage that it´s colored, so you see easily where the coating is.

bj68

 

[Daniela]

Cool! How did you figure that one out?

 

[James Guerin]

No very easy...

I use a resist made of Polystyrene and "Balsamterpentinöl" (balsam turpentine oil), coat the paper and dry it, after that use a ruler and a scalpel to cut lines in it. In the way of processing the squares get loose and you get the pattern.
Fun fact...you can use the red box of Mon Chéri Pralines, which is made of red PS...then it´s easier to see the coating....

Edit: These pictures are made on completely exposed photo paper with emulsion on it....and you are switching from developer to fixer and reverse, for getting this patterns.

bj68

​

Thanks so much for the tips!

 

[James Guerin]

made some progress..it's pretty addictive. I'm loving the gold paper..scans don't do it justice as it's metallic.

 

[nmp]

made some progress..

I'll say. These look wonderful. Thanks for sharing.

:Niranjan.