Tri-Color Gum Printing—August 17-18

With Diana Bloomfield

In this intensive two-day workshop, we will learn how to print in the 19th century photographic process of gum bichromate. Using color separation negatives, we’ll learn how to make multilayered, tri-color gum bichromate prints on watercolor paper.

After mixing an emulsion of watercolor pigment, potassium dichromate, and gum arabic, this mixture is brushed on watercolor paper, dried, and by placing a negative on top it is exposed to UV light.

We then ‘develop’ the prints in plain tap water. Layers are built by repeated coatings and careful registration of negatives until a full, rich image is achieved.

We will also explore one-coat, monochrome prints, made using black and white negatives.

No prior experience with this type of printing is necessary, so join us for two days of fun and experimentation with this interpretive, intuitive, and infinitely creative photographic printing process. Once you experience the joy of gum printing, you will never be the same!

The making of digital negatives will be discussed, but for the workshop itself, please send at least two color image and at least one black and white (files (300 dpi at 10” on the long side), Diana will choose one color and one black and white image, at least one week prior to the workshop. An email with details will be provided once you are registered.

To kick off the workshop weekend, Diana H. Bloomfield will be giving a gallery talk on Friday, August 16 from 6-7pm. Join us to hear her speak about her artwork and working methods and get a preview of the gum bichromate process before the workshop!

Instructor Bio

A photographer for over 35 years, Diana’s work has been widely exhibited and published. Specializing in 19th century printing techniques, her images have been included in a number of books, including Pinhole Photography: Rediscovering a Historic Technique (2004), by Eric Renner; Robert Hirsch’s Exploring Color Photography Fifth (& Sixth) Edition: From Film to Pixels (2011; 2015); in Jill Enfield’s Guide to Photographic Alternative Processes: Popular Historical and Contemporary Techniques; and in Christopher James’ The Book of Alternative Photographic Processes (2015). She is a featured artist in Christina Z. Anderson’s Gum Printing: A Step-by-Step Manual, Highlighting Artists and their Creative Practice (2017), and also in Clay Harmon’s recently released Polymer Photogravure: A Step-by-Step Manual, Highlighting Artists & their Creative Practice (2019).

A native North Carolinian, Diana lives and works in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she received her MA in English Literature and Creative Writing from North Carolina State University. She teaches workshops throughout the country, including at the amazing Art Intersection, and in her beautiful backyard studio.

Diana is represented by the Ryan Gallery at Art Intersection in Gilbert, Arizona, and by Panopticon Gallery, located in Boston, Massachusetts.

Gallery Talk: Friday, August 16th, 6 – 7pm

Workshop: Saturday, August 17, 9am – 5pm and Sunday, August 18, 9am – 4pm

Tuition:  $375.00

Sponsored by:

Freestyle Photographic Supplies                          Hahnemule USA