Van Dyke Brown Printing - need help with chemistry

[matthew_MH45]

I'm trying to get together the chemistry needed for VDB and unfortunately do not have any printed material on the subject. I am waiting on Christopher James book Alternative Photographic Processes to be available at the library.

I was wondering, in chemical lists I have seen on the web, what exactly is meant by Silver Nitrate. No one specifies whether to use silver nitrate crystals or silver nitrate solution (both are available at bostick&sullivan). If it is a solution, what %? 10-15% silver nitrate? Many recipes indicate the Part C solution to be: xxx(ml) of distilled water + x(gm). I'm assuming when gm is used they are referring to crystal form. My problem with that is no where does the author specify how to dissolve the crystal into the solution. Heat it + stir it? I would like to hear from someone with experience in Van Dyke Printing before I proceed.

Thanks,
Matthew

[BarryS]

The part C solution I use for VDB is 12% silver nitrate in distilled H2O. Dissolve 12 g of pure (99%+) silver nitrate crystals in distilled H20 to a total of 100 ml solution. This can be scaled to any volume you need (e.g., 3g silver nitrate in a total of 25 ml). I suggest you wait until you get your hands on James' book or a good procedure.

[matthew_MH45]

Thank you for your suggestion! Do most people start with pure silver nitrate crystals?

[DanJones]

Have you tried looking at alternativephotography.com?
great site for most alternative processes...van dyke info here:
http://www.alternativephotography.com/wp/processes/kallitypes/beyond-the-blues-vandyke-brown-printing

[matthew_MH45]

Have you tried looking at alternativephotography.com?
great site for most alternative processes...van dyke info here:
http://www.alternativephotography.com/wp/processes/kallitypes/beyond-the-blues-vandyke-brown-printing

Thanks! I actually just found this site before you posted, haha.

[BarryS]

And don't forget The Unblinking Eye at http://unblinkingeye.com/Articles/Ferric/ferric.html Most people doing alt process buy pure silver nitrate crystals.