Steep Learning Curve
My project began with the intention to become a more eco-friendly artist in the long run, with the first specific goal to submit work for Positive Environmental Art (PEA) exhibition at Mid Wales Arts this summer.
The first part of my project was the experiment on the pigment - binder compatibility. To contain the scale of the experiment, I only used one type of powder pigments, namely Kusakabe-brand artist’s pigment. The binders tested include 2 animal gelatines, 2 fish skin gelatins, CMC powder (cellulose-glue) and Konjac gum powder (devil’s tongue root).
Animal and fish gelatins have been used for art in Japan and so they have all been tried and tested to different degrees. Cellulose has been used in decoration (e.g. Distemper) but I only encountered a few mentioning of their use in painting. Because of my lack of scientific knowledge, in my limited experiments, neither of the plant derived binders worked well. (See photos)
Both fish skin gelatins were easily dissolved and looked more transparent than the animal gelatin. For now, my choice is the clear fish skin gelatin as transparency is important in my artwork.
The second part tested the compatibility betweeen various papers and sizing agents. But in many ways, the differences were very subtle and inconclusive.
Top from left: Animal gelatin, Clear animal gelatin, Fish skin gelatin Bottom row from left: Clear fish skiin gelatin, CMC, Konjac gum
Though hardly scientific, I have learnt an awful lot through experimenting with pigments, binders and papers. And now I intend to use the knowledge gained for my painting!