Information on its preparation comes to us through De Arte Illuminandi a 14th century manuscript. The author is unkown. The methods for the mix is a question of interpetation. The provided formula is the best one that I have used for nearly 30 years. It works very well ! ITS NON POISONOUS
This particular Gum comes from North Africa and Iran. Their are many varieties of this gum. They are what are called exudations. Little blobs of gum (creamy brown in color) which are quite sticky. When cut down from the trees they mix with earthly matter found on the ground. It is not uncommon to find these nodules with little pieces of rock, sticks, dead insects, leafs attached to the gum balls.
ITS PREPARATION
Two different types of Ammoniac seem to be available here in the US. The first is a Gum which I would consider clean. Small little rocks of gum balls usually sold in 1 oz bags. The second and I believe much stronger in adhesion are the nodules that contain an assortment of added garbage (sticks, rocks, twigs etc) .
This is the one you need! You may have to break up the particles with a hammer if you recieve it in a single piece. Here is the procedure.
Upon receipt, put the Ammoniac nodules ,1 to 2 oz. in a container and add enough water to cover the entire amount. Cover the container and let it soften up. This may take several days. When ready , with your fingers (with a glove or not) really squeeze the gum nodules and continue to mash up this mix (as best as you can) , until the entire liquid appears milky. I have used a microwave , just for a little heat. ( But for only 4 or 5 seconds just to break up or dissolve any additional particles by warming up the liquid )
Once you have made a mess, the liquid has to be strained through a very fine strainer. You now have Gum Ammoniac ! If you want , you can add a slither of a moth ball into the liquid as a preservative.
(mothballs contain Beta Naphthol) which is a preservative and will not effect the gum in any way. Its an option. But I have never had to use it.
If you can pick up the container and look at the underside, you will see if any sediment has appeared. You may have to re-strain again leaving behind the grit. Do not stir , just pour off the liquid through a strainer. The object with any Gold size or gesso is keeping it GRIT FREE & SMOOTH AS SILK
Wait , thats not the end! Add 1/4 teaspoon of sugar, and an 1/8 teaspoon of Gum Arabic solution. Also, a pinch of Armenian bole for color. Or a premixed binding medium for Ammoniac (see pricelist) Thats it. Keep the solution in an air tight container. In order to insure that the mix is free from any floating imperfections,and free from unseen sediments continuously strain before use. After several strains, the Ammoniac liquid will be a pleasure to use. You can refrigerate the solution and keep it indefinitely . It has at least a 10 year shelf life.
Their are other options for further experimentation. The use of Glair, Garlic juice , are mentioned as additives from other obscure readings. But this formula works.
I basically treat Gum ammoniac as an ink. The addition of the Gum arabic aids in the viscosity of the liquid. This can be altered if necessary. The sugar provides some pliability (prevents cracking) and being hygroscopic (has the ability to absorb water moisture) makes it easier for the Gold to adhere to the gum when breathed upon.
