We are delighted to welcome our friend Martyn Grimmer to teach Gum Bichromate here at Negative Thinking HQ. We are admirers of Martyn’s artistry as well as his ability and desire to share his craftsmanship. Running over Saturday and Sunday, Martyn will teach you the methods of Gum Bichromate and all of the wonderful ways to play with the process.

Gum Bichromate is a tactile printing rocess that uses gum arabic mixed with pegments then exposed to light through a negative in direct contact, hardneing the gum. Initially, this process appears relatively simple and straightforward, yet it is rife with variables, unpredictability, and yet paradoxically, it can be quite addictive. This unpredictably and lack of control is, oddly enough, part of its charm and why the end result is something that will make you want to revisit this technique time and time again. The resulting prints are surprisingly painterly, and totally permanent.

This workshop runs for 2 consecutive weekend days 10am - 5pm at NTHQ in Willway Yard. Day one will explore monochrome gum bichromate, enabling 2 prints. The second day will explore the idea of combining both techniques of gum and cyanotype. Skills acquired during the first day with gum, will be mixed in with the second days class of cyanotype, making essentially a duotone print on paper mounted onto aluminium, with both techniques.

This workshop is unique to the UK, we cannot wait to welcome you into the fold and into Martyn’s magical world.

All bookings must be made at least 10 days prior to the start of the weekend in order for us to prepare materials needed, so please don’t hesitate to book! Attendees will need to send 6 - 8 images (3 to 4 for each day) via email 10 days prior to the workshop for Martyn to make negatives for the class. Martyn will pick the images that will work best for the techniques.