What is gumoil printing?
Gumoil printing is an alternative photographic process in which gum bichromate and oil painting techniques are combined to create an image.
Here is a quick overview of the process:
Preparation:
Gum arabic, a natural substance exuded by several species of gum tree, is used with potassium dichromate to create a light-sensitive solution. This solution is then coated on paper and left to dry completely.
Exposure:
The paper is covered by a positive transparency (rather than a negative used in other photographic processes) that carries the image. This creates a contact print on the paper. The paper is then exposed to ultraviolet or halogen light.
Development:
The paper is washed to remove the unexposed gum arabic, leaving the image faintly visible.
Oil painting:
Oil paint is applied to the paper. The paint adheres to the areas where the gum has been washed away and the final image is revealed when the paint is wiped off.
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