Thursday, February 2, 2017

Second on the 2nd: Turpentine background


About mid-January, I shared this spread.

I know it's hard to see, even with my wonderful new camera, but it's winter and we all have difficulties photographing our art during the drab winter months when the sun is so low in our northern hemisphere sky.

The background got me thinking, though.  It was one I created using National Geographic pages and turpentine.

A bit of science behind the paper National Geographic uses may be in order.  The printing in National Geographic Magazine is mostly attributable to its photo gravure printing process.  This is not offset print, but according to an online photo forum:
Gravure printing is used for long run printing where its greater prep costs outweigh the cost of multiple plate changes. The process utilizes a 72-inch wide copper coated metal cylinder which is etched with a pattern of very small square cells of varying depths with a computer controlled diamond stylus. The depth of the cell controls the amount of ink deposited on the paper, and even the type is screened. The etched copper cylinder is then coated with chrome to prevent wear. 
Most newspapers and cheap magazines contain uncoated paper that has a slightly fibrous surface.  National Geographic uses a coated paper that has a smooth clay coating applied over a base paper.  The base paper is made first, then put through a "bath" of clay coating.  Alternately, it is coated while running on a metal roller that smooths out the coating on the paper.   The clay coating is what gives National Geographic the fabulous color photos it produces in each issue, and what allows the turpentine to interact with the coating.

Now that you are up to speed, here is a post from June, 2010 I called

Cleanup, Aisle 5

Back in 2008, I made some turpentine papers using National Geographic magazines. I had very little success with the process and was deeply disappointed.

Then, in 2009,

I did it again. That time I had marginal success. I had more success with the plate in the photo I was rusting!

Saturday was a different story. Since I had turp sitting in a bucket, I decided to try this technique one more time. This time I didn't use a brush, I just dumped the National Geographic pages into the bucket of turpentine, allowed them to sit for awhile, then separated them, allowing them to dry in the now sticky Kansas heat and humidity.   Later, when I checked on them,

I was jumping for joy. Sure, they still smell and I mean SMELL, but they are awesome. The good news is, most of the scent will be gone in about a week. If you are sensitive to the scent, be sure to leave them in a place where there is plenty of open air (Ed note:  I left them in my garage for at least a week after I took these photos).

I truly believe this is how they should have looked the first two times I tried this technique.

Just so you know, the top photo is from 2008, the next two are from 2009, and the last ones are from Saturday. And I used that same can of turpentine, too (free from my Household Hazardous Waste Swap and Shop).

End of post_______________________________________________________________

Just a few words of advice from what I learned in 2010.

1.  Be sure IF you use turpentine, perform this process outside, wear a respirator, and gloves.

2.  Pull the pages apart after they have soaked for awhile, but before they have time to stick together.

3.  You can also twist the pages as you separate them which will help to mix the colors.

4.  Don't expect text to change.  The only color you will get on the text is from the opposing page if it has a color print on it.

5.  This can be a hit and miss process.  Some pages, even after sitting submerged in the turpentine will not mottle.

6.  You can't be stingy with the turpentine.  I found the only time I got good results was when I submerged an entire section of the magazine.

7.  If you have breathing problems, or are allergic to the scent of turpentine, I suggest using
Turpinoid, an odorless turpentine alternative found at craft and art supply stores.  Be aware, this tiny 4 oz (118 ml) bottle was over $6.00 (USD) in 2009. 

8.  Alternately you can use
CitraSolv.  It costs about $12.00 (USD) for 8 fl oz (236 ml).  My friend Halle sent me a bottle this size for my birthday one year.

Now it's time to share your Second on the 2nd.  The rules are quite simple and everyone is welcome to join the fun look back.  All you have to do is bring back a post that you are especially proud of, or perhaps one you shared before anyone knew your blog existed.  Any post, any genre, any artistic endeavor is acceptable.  Then link below (direct links only, please) and Bleubeard and I, along with other Second on the 2nd friends, will be by to visit.  I would also appreciate it if you would link your post back to Second on the 2nd at Altered Book Lover.  Please be aware this link is only open for five days, so linking on the 2nd is preferred.





15 thoughtful remarks:

froebelsternchen said...

Thank you for sharing all your knowledge about this technique(s) - good to see it a second time, in 2010 I was just a stamping-girl and had no idea of Mixed Media.. I can remember that at this time the citrasolve with the national geographic magazine together got popular and we in Austria / Germany - as we got no citrasolve here- used to take Nevr-Dull Wadding Polish or nailpolish remover to make rubbings over different magazine pages to use them as backgrounds for our cards - that was really fun and we enjoyed it !
I have got some "under wonder" meanwhile "Vlieseline" and have now to try out what I want to make..we will see!
You are always an inspiration for me Elizabeth, if I have a problem with the under wonder I will go and ask you - Mrs. Mixed Media Queen of techniques!

Happy Second on the 2nd Elizabeth!
oxo Susi

Valerie-Jael said...

Lovely pages, even if they are smelly....Thanks for describing your process and for all the good tips. By the way, I sent you off something by snail-mail yesterday, hope it gets there soon. Have a fun day, and keep playing, hugs, Valere

chrissie said...

I think this is amazing and forgot to try it--naughty me. All the free mags at the large food stores have wonderful surfaces on the pages and they are so colourful so I really must have a go at this.

Thank you for sharing and well worth a second look for sure

Love Chrissie xx

My name is Erika. said...

I love the whole turpentine transfer technique lesson today. I've done transfers with matte medium and cheap printer paper and citrosol, but never with turpentine and its interesting to see how the whole technique. This is a good reshow. I like seeing how things don't work too, strange as that may sound, because when you are learning something new and make mistakes, you really learn how to do it correctly. But you gave such great hints what to do, when I try this, I have some tips not to repeat this things. Does this make sense? I'm tired this morning so not sure what I m saying makes sense. Hope all is well this new month. Hugs-Erika

Darla said...

This was a great tutorial and I found the information about the paper and printing very interesting. You got some interesting pages in the end of your experiment.

Sami said...

Elizabeth, what you have discovered from the various trials is interesting. The pages look fabulous.

Sandra Cox said...

Thanks for sharing alternatives to turpentine.
I love your piece. Poor Mrs. Cushing just wanted a smoke:) Maybe the Mr. knew about lung cancer.

CJ Kennedy said...

Thanks for the story behind the National Geographic paper. No wonder why their paper is so substantial and the images so lush.

I've never done transfers with turpentine. So, the idea is to get a marbled look from the pages? That would definitely be an outdoor sport, here. Thanks for the tutorial.

jinxxxygirl said...

Elizabeth i have a TON of National Geographic magazines.. I found them at the recycle center and dug them out of the crate they were in ...yup.. dumpster diver here... I love to read them and they give me inspiration for some drawings...Turpentine... i never would have thought of doing that.. I don't think i will but what fabulous results you got... I'm so glad you dug this out of the archive and shared with us. Hugs! deb

pearshapedcrafting said...

Wow! This gives an amazing appearance to the pages Elizabeth! I don't think it is for me as we have nowhere outside here - only the balcony and we like to open the doors on sunny days even in Winter.
I suppose there is the decking at the caravan but we would have to be careful of the birds as well as having a few rain free days! Still, it was a wonderful technique to show! Hugs, Chrisx

kaybee said...

Wow, what a fabulous technique, so glad you persevered with it and got such amazing results. Just my kind of thing - a little bit random!

sheila 77 said...

Another great tutorial, Elizabeth, and so good that you can repeat it due to your own idea for the 2nd of the month challenge.
I've said it before but it is useful to read about the not-working parts as well as the working parts. I believe the National Geographic is the very best, if not the only, magazine for this technique. How fascinating to read how the pages are made, and in fact I use a clay-coated plain paper to print my cards, and have found it gives the best results.
Thanks very much for your message (comment) on my blog on Tuesday. I could say exactly the same to you.
love from Sheila

Lisca said...

Wow, that was very interesting. I love the look of those last NG pages. Well done you for trying just one more time.
Yes, that stuff smells! And it is also good to remember it is highly flammable of course.
But great results!
Sorry for being late. I have just come back from Holland (came home late last night). We are staying at the cave house for one night, as it is on the way home and I will go home home later today.
Have a good week,
Lisca

johanna said...

one could become envious seeing the results you achieved with These pages. there was a time i tried it also. but: the german printing of the NG might have a different way of printing/ different paper (?) and i never got citrasolv here. a stamppal had bought one for me when she was on a trip in NY, but the People at the Airport made her open her suitcase and she had to take it out and throw it away! "dangerous stuff"... well, at this Point i decided i will concentrate my experiments on other stuff;)

elizabeth, i just tried the Google translator on my german post. it is horrible!! maybe i just used a too casual conversation tone... i think next time i will a short english summary:)
have a nice Weekend!

BJ said...

Thanks for the visit to my blog for WOYWW although you don't seem to have joined in, did you??? Loving your backgrounds but don't think I'd be safe with turpentine - LOL. Thanks for the visit BJ#29