Three Days of Creativity — Teaching Gum Printing to Radek Husak /
I had the pleasure of teaching London-based mixed-media artist Radek Husak during a three-day gum printing workshop.
Originally from Poland and a graduate of the Royal College of Art with a Master’s degree, Radek’s work expands the possibilities of printmaking — combining monoprint transfer, painting, and hand-drawn elements on aluminium, paper, wood, and canvas to create richly textured, layered works.
Always exploring new techniques, Radek joined me to add gum bichromate printing to his repertoire, intrigued by the process’s painterly qualities and its potential to blend seamlessly with his existing practice. Over the course of our three days together, we explored the full creative journey — from preparing materials and coating paper, to layering images and experimenting with colour, mainly blacks. By the end, Radek had created a great selection of prints, each one reflecting his unique style and vision.
Day 1 — Foundations
We began the three-day gum printing workshop with a discussion of the history and theory behind gum bichromate printing, looking at examples from early Pictorialist photographers to contemporary artists who have revived the process.
After an introduction to the materials, Radek prepared the paper with cyanotype chemicals before mixing the gum arabic, pigment, and dichromate sensitiser. We created the first single-layer prints with cyanotype, focusing on exposure times and gentle development techniques.
The studio quickly took on the earthy scent of gum arabic, with the quiet rustle of drying paper setting the tone for a calm, focused start.
Day 2 — Building Layers
On the second day of the three-day gum printing workshop, we moved into layering — one of the most exciting aspects of gum bichromate printing. Each new layer of colour adds depth, tone, and subtle shifts in mood.
Radek experimented with colour, mainly deep, rich blacks, exploring how they could add drama and intensity to the imagery while maintaining the delicate tonal transitions the process allows. This focus gave his prints a striking, almost graphic presence, without losing the subtlety that gum printing is known for.
Day 3 — Refinement & Final Prints
On the final day, we focused on refining prints — adjusting tonal contrast and making small but significant improvements. By this stage of the three-day gum printing workshop, Radek had developed a steady rhythm, confidently working through exposures and washes.
The final prints were beautiful: each one unique, impossible to replicate exactly, and a perfect fusion of Radek’s established techniques with the expressive qualities of gum printing.
In the Artist’s Words
Radek shared his thoughts on Instagram shortly after our workshop:
“For the last few days, I had the absolute pleasure of being mentored by @ipmclaren on the process of #gumbichromate. I am mighty pleased with the results and range of possible applications! I can’t wait to return to @thamessideprint to continue experimenting.”
When I asked Radek a few follow-up questions about the workshop, he told me:
What drew you to gum printing as a process?
I was attracted to the process because it’s a fascinating alternative photographic method. What appeals to me is the sense of creative control mixed with unpredictability. It’s very tactile and hands-on, allowing you to experiment with pigments, paper, and exposure times to produce images that feel painterly or almost dreamlike. There’s plenty of room for manipulation, which often results in surprising outcomes.
What was your favourite part of the workshop?
I’d say mixing pigments and applying them to the surface. Preparing the emulsion, choosing pigments, and feeling that direct connection between creative choices and the final outcome was very satisfying. The other part was, of course, the reveal — after leaving the print face down in water for an hour, there’s this anticipation about what will emerge, whatever the results.
How did you feel seeing your final prints?
I felt a deep sense of satisfaction and wonder. There’s something enchanting about working with gum bichromate, where you mix the chemicals, brush them on, and carefully expose the image to light. There’s always an element of surprise, because you can never fully predict how the pigments will behave or how the exposure will turn out. The texture and richness from the hand-applied layers give the prints a depth that feels very personal — like holding a piece of your creative journey in your hands.
How do you think you’ll use gum printing in your future work?
I think gum bichromate printing will be an exciting tool in my practice, pushing the boundaries of my artistic expression. The beauty of gum printing is that it’s not just about creating a photograph; it’s about creating an artwork. The layers of pigment and the tactile process open up possibilities for more abstract or experimental pieces, or even mixed-media works that combine photography with painting-like textures.
I’d like to experiment with layering different colours and textures, and combining them with my own techniques to create contrasts between sharp detail and soft, painterly qualities. The unpredictability of the medium could also support storytelling or conceptual projects, where the imperfect or faded qualities of the image help to convey mood and emotion.
Would you recommend it to other artists/photographers?
Absolutely. I highly recommend gum printing to other artists and photographers, especially those who want to explore a more hands-on, creative approach to image-making. It offers a wonderful opportunity to combine the technical side of photography with the freedom of printmaking.
That said, it’s not the quickest or easiest process, so it’s best suited for people who enjoy the journey of making art rather than focusing only on the final product. There’s a lot of trial and error, but that can be really rewarding if you enjoy being immersed in the process and letting it evolve.
Image & Video Highlights
Teaching Radek Husak how to develop gum bichromate print during a three-day gum printing workshop in London.
Interested in Learning Gum Printing?
If you’d like to explore gum printing for yourself, I run one-to-one and small group workshops in London and Cambridge. You’ll learn every stage of the process — from preparing materials to producing your own multi-layered prints.
Find out more and book your place here: ➤ Gum Printing workshop page.
Learn more about Radek’s work:
Follow him on Instagram @radekh to explore more of his mixed-media practice.