Mac064
Member
- Joined
- Oct 20, 2008
- Messages
- 94
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- Holga
I am about to take the plunge and try my first gum prints. I know that this will be a long process, I plan to take notes on the differing steps and I am prepared (I think) for the inevitable ups and downs of the process itself.
I plan to start sizing the paper in the coming days but would welcome some advice on sizing techniques. Has anyone used a coat or coats of PVA glue rather than the usual three coats of gelatin? I don't mind using the gelatin (although I hear that there really is a need to harden the gelatin with alum to get the best results which I don't have at the moment). I have, though, read online that you can use PVA diluted 1:2 with water (after preshrinking) and that the gum/pigment/bichromate sensitizer takes well to this base. There is also apparently no pigment staining and the surface is not so shiny (as with gelatin).
Has anyone had any experiences with this sizing? I have used gelatin for sizing in other processes which I am happy to do with the gum prints (although I do find gelatin sizing a bit of a chore if I have to be honest). I may try both, of course, but thought I would take some advice from those who have trodden the path well before me.
Thanks for considering this.
I plan to start sizing the paper in the coming days but would welcome some advice on sizing techniques. Has anyone used a coat or coats of PVA glue rather than the usual three coats of gelatin? I don't mind using the gelatin (although I hear that there really is a need to harden the gelatin with alum to get the best results which I don't have at the moment). I have, though, read online that you can use PVA diluted 1:2 with water (after preshrinking) and that the gum/pigment/bichromate sensitizer takes well to this base. There is also apparently no pigment staining and the surface is not so shiny (as with gelatin).
Has anyone had any experiences with this sizing? I have used gelatin for sizing in other processes which I am happy to do with the gum prints (although I do find gelatin sizing a bit of a chore if I have to be honest). I may try both, of course, but thought I would take some advice from those who have trodden the path well before me.
Thanks for considering this.