I managed to buy a few packs of ORWO Universal paper, similar to that used and recommended by Ken Hill at the RPS Bromoil event back in November.
Now it turns out there’s are multiple versions of ORWO Universal paper! Ken hadn’t elaborated, specifically to which he was using. Universal is Universal, right?
This is Universal BN 117.
B = Baryta layer, N = Normal grade, 1 = Double weight, 1 = Bright white surface and 7 = surface/finish type??
I received seven packs of 25 sheets 13x18cm. There are no instructions inside the packaging.
Developed with the usual Ilford PQ Universal, acid stop bath, and non hardening Ilford Hypam fixer.
I used the remainder of my Gilbert’s Bleach/Tan solution at 1:10 at 20° for ten minutes, then re-fixed and dried.
There’s a little ghosting in the matrix, and some sheets did not bleach as well as others in certain areas. maybe old paper or just old chems?
Usual set up with Graphic Chemical black inks. The paper took ink well, but nowhere near the same subtleties as back in November. That was instantly “Oh, I can see how this is working”.
This version took some work. Granted, I could have taken more time prepping the ink, but I don’t think that was the issue.
From what I can remember, Ken only used a short soak time pre inking. I can’t remember exactly, but maybe 3 minutes? I’ll have to have a play, as that wasn’t working so well for me.
Another example, but something wasn’t quite right. My eyesights not as good as it used to be, but I could make our some sort of pattern in the paper structure.
Close up of the pattern in the paper finish. The 7 in the paper code must relate to it somehow? Whatever it is, I’m not a fan.
If anyone would like a pack to have a go with, just drop me a line to sort something out. I’ll not be using all of it. It was more out of curiosity and being able to repeat Kens’ workflow from November.