polkat Posted January 11, 2012 Report Share Posted January 11, 2012 Not sure why but gum arabic seems to be harder to find. None of my close by art stores locally (not very local) still carry it. So to simplify this problem, I've been thinking of possible alternatives. Perhaps some kind of fruit juice? Maybe shellac (but would that mix well with the egg white)? Or a light mix of hide glue? Anyone done any research on this? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melvin Goldsmith Posted January 11, 2012 Report Share Posted January 11, 2012 I'd think you should be able to find it on line. It is a food additive as well as an art ingredient. I buy it from Kremer no problem.. http://www.kremerpigments.com/shopus/index.php?lang=ENG&view=SearchResult Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polkat Posted January 11, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2012 I'll check that out. One person I talked to suggested the adhesive Gloy as an alternative. Anyone heard of this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oded Kishony Posted January 11, 2012 Report Share Posted January 11, 2012 a gloy is a gay goy. Oded Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl Stross Posted January 11, 2012 Report Share Posted January 11, 2012 I'll check that out. One person I talked to suggested the adhesive Gloy as an alternative. Anyone heard of this? Based on childhood memories cherry trees produce something very similar. Pear and apple ones as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oded Kishony Posted January 11, 2012 Report Share Posted January 11, 2012 Yes there are any number of gums that you could possibly use. Gum Tragacanth, plum tree gum, cherry gum etc http://www.paintmaking.com/gums.htm btw the word for chewing gum in Hebrew is 'mastic' Now go masticate on that! Oded Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melvin Goldsmith Posted January 11, 2012 Report Share Posted January 11, 2012 Gum Arabic absorbs and looses water faster than plum or cherry and dries faster and harder. That could be good or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl Stross Posted January 12, 2012 Report Share Posted January 12, 2012 Gum Arabic absorbs and looses water faster than plum or cherry and dries faster and harder. That could be good or not. I remembered : it is used in paper manufacturing. Then it must be available from a chemical supplier familiar with the field. 50 gallon drums ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captainhook Posted January 12, 2012 Report Share Posted January 12, 2012 Might try asking for "acacia," since it is gum from various acacia trees and may be called that commercially. It may be used in making some grades of paper but none of the ones I have experience with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Christian Posted January 12, 2012 Report Share Posted January 12, 2012 Altoids Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fiddlewallop Posted January 12, 2012 Report Share Posted January 12, 2012 I've bought from John Neal before. This is a calligraphy store, but the gum arabic is in the raw state and should work just fine for varnishing: https://www.johnnealbooks.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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