Paper
Certainly for beginners, by far the easiest and best photographic paper for bromoiling, in use worldwide in recent years was Kentmere, Single Weight, Art Document, Grade 2. Kentmere supplied the UK market and also exported the paper from their base in the Lake District to the USA, Canada and elsewhere. The paper and also silver gelatine emulsion was sold by dealers some of whom re-labelled and sold the products under their own trade names.
In 1995, Dave Francis contacted a number of paper manufacturers to see if any were interested in making a paper that would be of special interest no only to bromoilists, but to other alternative processors, as well as ‘straight’ printers. John Barker, owner and MD of Kentmere sanctioned a meeting with his senior staff, Garry Hulme, Sales Manager and Colin Sykes, Research and Development. After a visit to the factory it was agreed that Kentmere would make two trial papers and Dave Francis would post samples at his own expense in order to canvas support for either or both papers. The papers were labelled Art Bromoil and Semi-Matt Smooth respectively. The emulsion was coated onto the same double-weight base paper that was labelled ‘Classic’ for technical and economic reasons. Both papers were an outstanding success but whilst the Semi-matt Smooth was excellent for use as a bromoil transfer matrix it was only possible to economically coat one and that chosen was the Art Bromoil.
The complete story behind the production of the paper is available on Dave’s own web site but suffice it to say that after Kentmere had been duped Martin Reed of Silverprint, London, came to the rescue. Not only was the £10,000 run coated but also a second run was made and both sold out.
Kentmere Ltd has been acquired by Harman-Ilford and present plans indicate that Kentmere Art Document is no longer available. Some of the present range of Ilford papers respond to the bromoil process and techniques will be developed that will enable beginners to use Gallerie, Multigrade, Warmtone etc., more reliably than at present.
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