Mounting rice paper, commonly used in calligraphy and traditional painting, requires careful handling to preserve the paper’s delicate texture and appearance. Here's a step-by-step description of how to mount rice paper onto a suitable surface, including the considerations for different mounting surfaces and achieving a museum-quality outcome.
Materials You Will Need:
Rice paper (or other thin, delicate paper)
Mounting surface: This can be a wooden panel, canvas, mat board, or specialized art board.
Adhesive: For museum-quality mounting, an acid-free, archival adhesive such as rice paste or wheat starch paste is often preferred. You can also use archival glue or Methyl Cellulose.
Brush: A soft brush, such as a hake or flat brush, for applying the adhesive.
Spatula or Bone Folder: For smoothing the paper onto the surface.
Weights or a Press: For pressing the paper flat after mounting.
Wax paper or parchment: To protect the surface of the rice paper.
Steps to Mount Rice Paper:
1. Prepare the Rice Paper:
Lay the rice paper on a clean, flat surface. If it has been stored rolled, gently flatten it by placing it under a weight for a short time or lightly steaming it.
Ensure the rice paper is free of wrinkles or folds before starting the mounting process.
2. Prepare the Mounting Surface:
If using a wooden panel, canvas, or art board, make sure it’s clean, dry, and free of dust.
If you're using mat board or acid-free paper board, check that the surface is smooth and flat.
If using canvas, it should be stretched and pre-primed (gessoed) to ensure a good bond.
3. Apply the Adhesive:
Prepare the adhesive: Mix rice paste or wheat starch paste according to the manufacturer’s instructions, or use an archival adhesive.
Use a soft brush to lightly coat the back of the rice paper with the paste. Be sure not to over-saturate the paper—apply a thin, even layer to avoid soaking or warping the delicate fibers of the rice paper.
You can also apply a thin layer of adhesive to the mounting surface, especially for larger sheets of rice paper, to ensure an even bond.
4. Attach the Rice Paper to the Mounting Surface:
Gently place the adhesive-covered rice paper onto the mounting surface, starting from one edge and slowly working your way across. Use a soft, flat brush or a bone folder to smooth the paper as you apply it.
Work out any air bubbles or wrinkles by gently pressing them out with the bone folder or a clean, dry cloth.
Ensure the rice paper adheres smoothly and evenly across the entire surface.
5. Press the Paper Flat:
Once the rice paper is attached, place a sheet of wax paper or parchment paper over the mounted paper to protect it.
Apply gentle, even pressure using weights, a flat surface, or a press. This helps flatten the rice paper and ensures an even adhesion.
Leave it under pressure for several hours, or overnight if possible, to allow the adhesive to dry completely.
6. Trim and Finish:
After the paper is dry and securely mounted, trim any excess paper from the edges using a sharp craft knife or scissors.
If the edges of the rice paper need reinforcement, you can add a border of fine paper or matting.
How to Mount Rice Paper on Different Surfaces:
Wooden Panels: Wood provides a sturdy and archival mounting surface. Ensure the wood is smooth and well-prepared to avoid any texture showing through the rice paper.
Canvas: Stretch the canvas beforehand and prime it with gesso if needed. The flexibility of canvas can allow for slight expansion and contraction of the rice paper.
Art Boards (Mat Boards, Paper Boards): Use acid-free, archival-quality boards that won’t deteriorate over time. These are perfect for a flat, firm mounting surface.
Textured Surfaces: If you are mounting rice paper on a textured surface, such as rough canvas, you must take extra care to smooth the rice paper completely, as textures can sometimes show through.
Achieving Museum-Quality Mounting:
To achieve a museum-quality mounting result, the following steps are crucial:
Use Archival Materials: All materials, from the adhesive to the mounting surface, should be acid-free and archival. This ensures that your artwork will last for decades without yellowing or deteriorating.
Even Adhesion: The rice paper should be mounted evenly with no air bubbles, wrinkles, or excess adhesive visible. Any imperfections can affect the appearance and longevity of the piece.
Proper Pressure: Ensuring that the mounted paper is evenly pressed under weight or a press will prevent any air pockets or warping, which could degrade the artwork over time.
Avoid Oversaturation: Do not oversaturate the rice paper with adhesive, as this can weaken the paper fibers and lead to warping or buckling. A thin, even layer is ideal.
Edge Reinforcement: If necessary, reinforce the edges of the rice paper with an additional layer of archival paper or matting. This helps prevent any tearing or fraying over time.
Final Inspection: Once mounted, check the piece for any signs of uneven adhesion, bubbling, or warping. Correct any issues before the piece is framed or displayed.
Summary:
Mounting rice paper involves applying a thin, even layer of archival adhesive to both the paper and the surface, then gently pressing it into place.
Different mounting surfaces, like wood panels, canvas, or mat board, each require slight adjustments in technique, but the principles of even adhesion and smooth application remain the same.
To achieve museum-quality results, use archival materials, apply pressure evenly, avoid oversaturation of the rice paper, and ensure there are no wrinkles or bubbles.
Here’s a list of modern books on Sumi-e (Japanese ink painting) that cover various techniques, styles, and approaches. These books are easy to understand and can be useful for both beginners and advanced practitioners.
