At the turn of the 20th century pictorialism reigned supreme and the bromoil and transfer processes were the most highly acclaimed means of expression by the leading pictorial photographers in North America and Europe. It was considered the most beautiful form of artistic expression. Today, major galleries and serious art collector’s are quick to acquire vintage and traditional bromoil and transfer prints.
A bromoil print is one in which the original black and white silver image is bleached out and replaced with a stiff litho type oil pigment. The ink is stippled onto the damp gelatin surface with special stag-foot shaped brushes, creating a beautiful etching like quality. During the inking up stage, the photographer has the artistic control to alter tonal values to enhance the print and create atmosphere and recession.

The process has dramatically changed since David first picked up a Sinclair's hog hair brush 40 plus years ago! Today the process continues to evolve and I too have embraced the digital darkroom to create master digital negatives for bromoil printing. It really doesn't matter if you shoot with traditional black and white film or with a digital camera, enhancing the image in Photoshop opens up a tremendous new frontier for us. The possibilities are almost endless and only limited by our imagination!
This coming summer, I invite you to join me at KIA where I will share with you the technique for creating bromoil prints with traditional b/w film and from the digital negative. I will share my technique for making the digital negative from raw or tiff files as well as traditional b/w film. Time will be devoted during the workshop for participants to learn how to make digital negatives for the process. A working knowledge of Photoshop is desirable. Students must also purchase David’s book The Art of Bromoil & Transfer, before the workshop.

This intensive workshop is dedicated to the black and white photographer who wishes to acquire the traditional old master's technique of learning one of the most beautiful early 20th century historic pigment processes. Experienced bromoil workers are especially invited to attend: you may wish to create a portfolio of work for an exhibition or simply to spend a week working on a personal project under the guidance of David’s vast experience! Our workshop is hands-on, intensive and enrolment is limited. Cost of the workshop is $310 plus $200 for a complete bromoil kit for those who don’t already have one. A non-refundable cancellation fee will be charged. No refunds after May 24. The kit may be purchased from David at the beginning of the workshop. To register for the workshop phone 269/349-7775 ext 3101, or go to www.kiarts.org/school to download a PDF registration form.
Biography: David W. Lewis, is considered by his peers to be the last surviving master of the pigment control processes of Oil, Bromoil and Transfer, is certainly responsible for the revival of these rare processes.
With 40 years of experience in the pigment processes, David is recognized internationally as a leading workshop instructor. A dedicated pictorialist in the true sense of the word, his technical perfection in the bromoil and transfer processes allows him to freely express himself and his images have been described as dreams locked in pigment.. He is constantly redefining his craft to its highest potential and work is exhibited in major art galleries and museums throughout North America, Europe and Asia,
In 1995 David published The Art of Bromoil & Transfer, the most definitive, fully illustrated publication on the bromoil and transfer processes in over 30 years. His company offers a complete line of materials necessary for the bromoil processes including brushes, pigments, B/W non-supercoated chlorobromide bromoil paper and etching presses. In his latest book, The Passion Pit, a tribute to the drive-in theatre, David offers a nostalgic journey through exquisitely reproduced B/W photographs and bromoils of a simpler time, sure to conjure up your own memories of this unique North American culture. His next book “Corporate Wasteland”, will be published in the fall of 2007 by Cornell University in the U.S.A. and Between The Lines in Canada. To view more of David’s work and information about ordering books and supplies go to www.bromoil.com