I want to do a series of prints in Gum and perhaps a hybrid coloring gum process. Has anyone used kits they recommend? Have any tips to share? I know this forum has some of the most knowledgeable folks out there.
I want to do a series of prints in Gum and perhaps a hybrid coloring gum process. Has anyone used kits they recommend? Have any tips to share? I know this forum has some of the most knowledgeable folks out there.
When you are walking on thin ice, you might as well dance.
Have you printed gum before?Originally Posted by Gregg Cook
I'm starting to get good results using gum. One of the main problems to look for is insufficient sizing. I just switched to diluted acrylic Gesso, 1-2 and it improved my prints 100%. There are some good websites with some conflicting information, as it seems Gum printing is a very subjective process. Good luck.
Bill
I have not printed gum before.
When you are walking on thin ice, you might as well dance.
Try http://www.alternativephotography.com/ they have a whole section on gum.
Also:
I am no expert but I have been printing gum for the last 18 months. Just want to share a few things:
You can teach yourself how to gum print but you need patience. It will involve some trial and error.
Read as much as you can online (you probably have). I like Peter Blackburn's papers.
Each author will do things differently. Don't be put off by that. It's just the way the process is.
I assume you have a UV printer (unless you want to use the sun).
Then you need gum arabic, ammonium or potassium dichromate, paper and pigment.
You also need trays and brushes for coating.
Bostick & Sullivan has a kit that I think is overkill for the beginner so get the following from B&S:
- get a bottle of 14 Baume gum arabic, say 250cc or 500cc
- a 250 or 500 cc of ammonium or potassium dichromate 5%.
Gum printing is done best on sized paper but for the beginning, concentrate on getting the basics. Sizing can come later.
Instead get paper that is already been internally sized by the manufacturers with alkyl ketene dimer (AKD).
With non-staining pigments, you can do 2-3 layers easy.
The papers I have used with AKD are Fabriano Artistico and Saunders Waterford.
For pigments, start with one color. I prefer Lamp or olive black watercolor paint. They don't stain as much.
I like the Windsor&Newton or Sennelier paints.
You can get the paper and paint form most art supply stores or online (Dick Blick, Daniel Smith etc).
Start off with that. Do one layer to start. Get a hang of how much pigment to use, coating, exposure times and developing.
Then learn how to register your negatives for two or more layers.
Then expand into separating your negatives and doing tricolor gums. When you get there, check out Keith Taylor's work.
Good Luck, have fun and don't give up!
Oh man, gum is a monster. Chris Andersons book is a great reference for gum printers, and she is really good at it. Every gum printer I have ever met does it differently. Like bill sizes with gesso, and I don't use any size at all. Keith Taylor doesn't size either, and the only knock on his prints is that you can't tell they are gum prints, too perfect! identify your variables and eliminate any that you can, and get ready to wrestle with it if you have a specific esthetic you want to achieve. good luck
By all means, get your hand on Christina Anderson's book. It will lead you through not only the basics, but many of the possible additions. There is no source equal to this.
Thanks folks!!!!
When you are walking on thin ice, you might as well dance.
Hmmmm. After further research, has anyone ever used paper negs? Inquiring minds want to know....
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