I am trying to make a photogram on a brick, what should i use to fill in the holes before i light sensitize it

Question

I have a solution to put on the brick after it is cleaned and sealed to sensitize it, but i am not sure how to go about cleaning and sealing it. i would also like to perserve its natural color (cinder blocks)

Answer 1

Try clear Polyuretane, after dry (next day or so) use use your sensitizer.
But with the natural color you will not have whites, the picture will be to flat, low contrast.
Try using white Polyuretane, you will have the contrast and the cinder block texture.

Answer 2

Cleaning the cinder blocks shouldnt be a problem, just use a toothbrush or any bristle brush for that matter. As for the preservation of the image, one of the drawbacks to the method you are using is the pH balance of the material you are printing on, and the pourous nature of cinderblocks which allows the slow but certain circulation of air. Liquid light, and other paintable silver halide chemicals are totally fine if you print on acid free paper, but when you get involved in printing on anything but acid free paper you will have to deal with some degredation of the image. If you want to fill the brick perhaps consider something like gesso, or just go with the texture. Is there are a reason why you need to fill it? If you start to fill the cinderblock then in a way it defeats the physical properties of the cinderblock being a textured surface, so just go wtih the flow. Also, you might be able to find more information about liquid emulsion processes at alternativephotography.com