The Painterly Photograph: Gum Bichromate (6 Sessions)

Adult Workshop | This program is completed

New Offering!

10/9/2019-11/13/2019

1:00 PM-4:00 PM EDT on Wed

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$195.00

$175.00

$45.00

Discover historic photographic printing techniques that you can do in your own backyard! This class will introduce students to the iron salt and chromium printing processes, cyanotype and gum bichromate. Popular with the Pictorialists for their atmospheric and painterly qualities, these alternative processes will transform your photographs. We will cover the processes individually and how they can be used with one another. You'll learn the history of the process, how to mix and apply the light-sensitive chemicals, exposure times, and printing negatives. Due to time and studio limitations, the size of prints will be restricted to roughly 8x10” (on 11x15”surfaces).


Note that this classroom is accessible by stairs only; please contact Fleisher for more information.

  • Papers that are proven with the process (up to students' personal preferences)
  • Arches Hot, Cold or Rough press 140lb preferably
  • Rives BFK Heavy Weight any color
  • Strathmore 500 series Bristol, vellum surface
  • Any heavyweight paper comparable to the above, Fabriano, Pescia.
  • The paper is going to have to withstand quite a bit of moisture.
  • Watercolors - a decent brand Winsor Newton, Old Holland, Schmincke - tubes not cakes. Here is a list of some proven colors:
  • Alizarin Crimson (or carmine), Cadmium Orange, Yellow & Red, Ivory Black, Lamp Black, Blue Black (Winsor Newton), Burnt Sienna, Burnt Umber, Purple Madder, Brown Madder, Warm Sepia, Paynes Gray, Antwerp Blue, Indigo, Neutral Tint.
  • Check the lightfastness/permanence listed on the tube. Avoid colors made with dyes. Dyes are plant-based and react with UV light.
  • Haké brush, and sponge brushes.