Tri-Color Gum Bichromate Printing

August 26 – August 27, 2017

Instructor: Diana Bloomfield

Cost: $325 Member, $365 Non Member

Using CMY color separation negatives (made via 21st century technology), we will learn how to make multi-layered, tri-color gum bichromate prints on watercolor paper. A specific emulsion made of watercolor pigment, a light sensitizer (potassium dichromate), and gum arabic is carefully brushed on watercolor paper. After drying, a digital negative is placed on top, exposed to UV light, and “developed” in plain tap water. With repeated coatings and careful negative registration, layers are slowly built until a full rich color image is achieved. We will also explore one-coat monochrome prints, made using b&w negatives. This is an infinitely creative process, full of possibilities and surprises. No prior experience with this type of printing is necessary, so join me for a weekend of fun and experimentation with this interpretive, intuitive, and uniquely creative photographic printing process. Once you experience the joy of gum printing, you will never be the same!

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Cost of materials covered in the workshop fee. Students should submit four color images and one or two b&w prints via Dropbox at least 10 days before the workshop. Images should be sized at 300 dpi at 10” on the longest side.

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Diana Bloomfield
Crossing Reedy Creek
(tri-color gum bichromate)
2017

Diana Bloomfield
Light Dancer 
(tri-color gum bichromate)
2017