I have decided to begin oil printing with Fabriano Artistico Hot Press paper of 300 gsm weight. First, I begin by stretching the paper by soaking it at room temperature for five minutes. I found this large 28″ x 30″ tray at Lowes hardware store. it is intended as an appliance drip pan and was only $28.
After soaking, I fasten the sheet to a stretching frame I built from hardware store materials.
When dry, I add a sizing to the paper by brushing on two coats of Liquitex Fluid Matte Medium diluted 1:1 with distilled water.
The following day, I coated the papers with an 8% solution of gelatin. The mix includes:
80gm gelatin (250 bloom)
20mL isopropyl alcohol
5mL of a 1% solution of chrome alum
distilled water to make 1 liter
I coat the mixture onto the paper as follows:
Soak paper in room temperature water.
Squeegee wet paper onto sheets of pre-leveled plate glass and galvanized sheet metal on top.
Lay a framework of 0.035″ magnetic vinyl strips just inside the edge of the paper.
Pour the gelatin mix, heated to 110F, over the paper and spread with a heated stainless steel rod.
Remove the magnetic strips, squeegee off a 1/2″ strip of gelatin on both short sides, and hang to dry.
