The archival print is an 8-color pigment ink reproduction of a handcolored black and white photograph. When treated like a fine watercolor (displayed behind glass or acrylic and out of direct sunlight), it will keep its original colors for an estimated 80-100 years.


I begin with a medium or large format black and white negative. My current favorite cameras are a 617 Fuji rangefinder and a 5x7 inch Wisner field view. Using traditional wet darkroom techniques, I print a black and white silver photograph.

I color the photograph with Marshall's Photo Retouch transparent dyes, using fine watercolor brushes and the aid of a binocular microscope. I try to discover the essence of a subject; a reduction to form and light usually only accomplished in black and white or abstract color photographs.

Each color positive takes about twenty hours to complete.

As a last step, I scan the completed handcolored photograph at high resolution and 48-bit color. There is no digital content manipulation. The final digital prints are 125% to 135% the size of the original handcolored photographs.

All prints are on 10 mil Epson Enhanced Matte (formerly Archival Matte) paper.

Mounting: Each print is hand-torn for deckled edges. The print is then mounted on 100% cotton, acid-free heavyweight watercolor paper, either cool gray or warm gray, as suits the image. Upon request, any print can be mounted on black paper (colored with 100% carbon black pigment and highly fade-proof.)

The print/watercolor paper is then mounted on 16 x 20 inch 100% cotton rag, archival foamcore board. This mounting allows maximum flexibility for framing. All adhesives are acid-free and rated for archival use.