I have recently seen both a Forte Polywarmtone "HW" and a Forte Polywarmtone "Art". The Art is more expensive. Does anyone know the difference between these two papers?

-- Jim Steele (jdsteele@hotmail.com), June 11, 2001

Answers

Hi Jim,

I don't have access to my supplies right now, so I can't check for sure. I was using Forte Polywarmtone over the weekend and I think the only difference is weight. I think the Art version is standard double weight paper and HW, museum weight. The two packs I have are definitely different weight and one is labeled museum weight, both are Polywarmtone. BTW, it a very nice paper!

Regards,

-- Pete Caluori (pcaluori@hotmail.com), June 11, 2001.

Jim: I'm not sure, but is the "Art" the new paper they recently announced? The new warmtone is supposedly like the old chloride papers of years ago, decidedly warm tones without the need to tone for the warmth.

-- Ken Burns (kenburns@twave.net), June 11, 2001.

Jim, the Forte Polywarmtone papers available here in the UK are, PW-14 white,glossy,smooth,museum weight; PW-15 white,semi matt,smooth,museum weight; PW-17 ivory,semi gloss,museum weight and PW18 ivory,semi matt,fine-grain,double weight. Museum weight papers are 300gm. and double weight papers are 280gm. The warmist emulsion in my opinion is the glossy surface. Regards,

-- Trevor Crone (trevor.crone@uk.dreamcast.com), June 12, 2001.

Jim, Forte's two warmtone papers are Forte Elegance Polywarmtone FB PLUS and Forte Elegance Polywarmtone FB ART. The nomenclature is rather confusing, since one would expect the "ART" paper to be heaver in weight and have extended tonality. The fact is, however, the "PLUS" is the heavier paper (museum weight) and it has cleaner (brighter) whites. Both have lovely warm tones, which become rich chocolate-like brown, with incredible depth, in selenium. I've used the PLUS paper a lot recently, and it is stunning. I would say the ART paper is more similar to Ilford's warmtone, which shares its creamy-white (duller) characteristic. I, however, far prefer the brilliance of the PLUS paper and its luxurious weight. Why ART is more expensive than PLUS is a mystery to me; it's lighter weight, has less tonal depth and is clearly less arty. Buy a bunch of PLUS now before Forte figures this out! At $60/50-11x14 sheets (B&H-- 06/29/01) it's a terrific value.

-- Ted Kaufman (writercrmp@aol.com), July 01, 2001.

I have used LPD a lot and I agree it is a great developer but sometimes leaves an olive color with some warm tone papers. I have had some luck with the Edwal 106 copy from the formulary. This developer is extremely warm with some papers like Ektalure and such.

-- Robert W Boyer (rboyer@mindspring.com), July 01, 2001.