Hello— Does anyone know of a good alternative varnish to the standard gum sandarac formula in the Osterman workbook? Varnish has never been my favorite part of the wet-plate process but once upon a time it was at least do-able and the varnish turned out glossy and sharp (dust was always my main complaint). Then I pissed off the collodion gods (perhaps because I found a way around varnishing for one project) and for some time now I've been making small test batches with no real success. The finish turns out somewhat matte, with very,very subtle striations, and a small loss of sharpness in the image (as if the varnish slightly dissolves the collodion). I have tried gum from B&S and Artcraft, different lavenders (or omitting altogether), and used different bottles of grain alcohol. I change my location and heating methods but can never achieve that nice finish. I cannot figure out how to fix this problem and I'm tired of wasting so much time and money. I welcome feedback and theories but I'm also looking for other options. So once again, anyone had success with an alternative— pre-made or another recipe?
Thanks,
Jenn

There are no "gods" in wet plate. Its all just a series of chemical reactions.

"once upon a time" was when your collodion was strong and new, and it was in harmony with your strong and new varnish. BUT, collodion ages, and changes...while varnish does not. The increase in acidity in collodion breaks down the cell walls gradually and the alcohol in the varnish is able to break down the cells...that in turn causes your image to melt.

The Osterman Formulas SHOULD work 100 percent for you if IF you are using the right chemicals in the process.

Id urge you to rethink this and understand what Im saying about aged collodion. Adding too much water into your varnish (which Im sure you have) has had the effect of turning matte.

Ideally, you want a harmony situation. Id suggest NEW collodion, make your varnish FRESH using Ostermans forumla and NOT substituting anything. Make sure your alcohol is the same for the collodion and the varnish, use EVERCLEAR, not denatured or something 'else'. Make sure its the high proof version (not sold in some states). Add no more than three drops of water into the varnish whem you make it fresh, for a 4 oz amount.

Your dust is happening because you are probably not varnishing freshly done and dried plates. Dry the plate slowly over low heat, keeping it in motion. It needs to be hotter than blood hot, but NOT TOO MUCH hotter. Pour your NEW varnish on you NEW collodion slowly, make a pool in the center. slowly move the pool around, always keeping it in motion and in a fairly swift manner pour the excess off. now hold the plate flat again, and get it into the heat, fairly high up if you are using an open flame. Keep it in motion and you will notice the smell of the varnish. It will smell fruity, and then after awhile, smell more paint like. Thats the 'dry' stage. Let it cool now and air dry.

Dont give up on the sandarac too quickly. No one has really every found anything that is overall as good, though SOME may argue that.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 08/18/2011 07:16AM by Ray Morgenweck.