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Greetings,

Has anyone tried using Shiva brand Casein paints for gum pigments instead of watercolors?

Regards,
Salmon

I cant see why it wouldn't work....have to experiment like with every other pigment.

Let us know how it goes.
Crystal

Crystal,

The pigment is flaking off at the highlights regardless of the pigment to sensitizer ratio hence the reason for my question. I thought perhaps the casein is drying and is no longer water soluble. This is my first attempt at gum printing and I rely on the sun so experimentation takes a while.
Could this flaking be the result of overexposure?

I appreciate your reply.

Regards,
Salmon

I'm a sun printer too....how much size do you have on the paper? Most of my problems are related to sizing...not enough, too much. I use Van Gogh, Sennelier, WN watercolors. any reason you are trying the casien? Just had it on hand? or what?

I did a bunch of test runs with graduated negs that I made just for testing. I made a gradient in PS then Posterized it to 12 which gives me a good range of values from light to dark with distinct separations. I carefully mix my emulsion to the same ratio of pigment to gum every time. and since I've tested them on a gradation... that gives me only the variation of the UV to deal with for a given value. I usually take my worst print and give the emusion a trial run in the morning and then adjust the time for how strong the sun seems according to what the test was later in the day with the rest of the run of prints


Did some beautiful prints this week...only to have the last layer pop pinholes in the paper because I forgot to add hardner to the size. Reprinted and they look great. Cant wait to post them up.

Crystal

Crystal,
I have painted with casein in the past and find it to have a rich quality whch I find pleasing and am hoping to secure images with fairly good density and depth with one printing. Since I have begun using it, I would like to stick with it until the very end before trying something else. Don't want to change too many variables at once.

I am sizing 140 lb hot and cold press with 2 coats 20% 250 bloom gelatine. It is fairly 'thick' and it subsequently leaves somewhat of a relief from the brush strokes. I have added glyoxal to the final coat on occasion with no difference in the final image. Once dry, the paper is very (very!) stiff and difficult, if not impossible, to uncurl.

I look forward to seeing your work.

Regards,
Salmon

Sorry for such a long time for my reply....I was up in Reno shooting the air races. Wow what fun, can t wait to print some static shots in gum.

I think you may be having a size problem maybe try a heavier paper like #300 and size less.that's a pretty heavy coat of size.