Citra-Solv + National Geographic Background Images

D-Limonene is my new playmate!

I discovered a 'new' technique while trolling the interwebz the other day. It involved using something called citra-solv and old National Geographic magazines to make interesting background pages. Now, I don't know how I ended up seeing these backgrounds, but one site I got to was that of Pam Tucker who has done some amazing pieces using these backgrounds. But there was almost no information as to HOW to do it.

Googling Citra-solv got me to their Art Pages, but again, no instructions (They've put Pam's name on a label on the bottom for handy artist tips! How about that for fame!). Found a few other sources of images, and finally, a discussion group. Now, it turns out that this is only new to ME - it was really 'in' around 2010 - figures - only 2 years behind the pack, lol. Anyway, of course it's really hard to find Citra-Solv in New Zealand. It contains the citrus oil D-Limonene, which you find in a lot of cleaning products. We have something called De-Solv-It (made in Australia), but it's 70% Hydrocarbons, 20% D-Lim, and 10% other stuff - not strong enough!

THE TECHNIQUE So, assuming you can find some D-Lim or Citra-Solv, what do you do? You find copies of old National Geographic magazines, and paint the pages with this stuff. The theory is (which may be urban legend) that NatGeo uses a gold-based paint on their nice glossy paper. There's a chemical reaction that occurs when you paint it with D-Lim, which causes it to 'hubble, bubble, toil and trouble' - and the original pictures becomes unrecognisable, changing into something quite unreal. Humidity and temperature made a big difference in how long it takes to 'cook'.

Out in the garage, sitting at 10degC, it took a couple of hours for any change to happen - bring it inside, at 18-20decC, and it only took about 10 min - it was a lot more humid in the laundry than the garage too. Wear gloves, and make sure there's plenty of ventilation - this stuff stinks! Also plenty of newspaper (which you'll need to get rid of) is useful.

Grr - went back to Citra-Solv's site - and guess what I found - a tutorial!!!!

I tried another glossy mag I picked up yesterday too, (a Japanese interior decoration one!), but the magic didn't happen.

So, here's my first attempt:

[Original image: fisherman & fish]

[Original image: women in burqa holding child - I deliberately kept the child's face visable]

[Original image: water and fish (I think!)]

[Original Image: bow of boat and fish]

[Original Image: dog and water]

Oh, and because I couldn't bear the smell, I actually put the pages into the bath, sprayed with Spray-n-Wipe (which also contains Citrus oil), and hosed them down with warm water. It got the excess oil and a bit of the smell of.

Specialist Cleaning Supplies in Palmerston North have 750ml bottles of D-Limonene for about $30 + shipping.

A friend has said I can have their collection of old NatGeo's (thanks Theresa!), so more to come. I'd love to see what they look like under wax, and also done as ATC's.