Mounting Sumi-e Paintings on a Wood Frame
Roslyn Levin
Tools
- Wood frame block.
- Rice paper a little larger than the wood frame.
- TriArt UV Protective Medium Semi-gloss. Or an acrylic medium of your choise.
- Your painting. The paper should be larger than the art.
- Acid-free glue. Yes! can be bought from an art store.
- 2" to 3" hake brush to spread glue.
- 2" to 3" hake brush to spread acrylic medium.
- Spray bottle filled with water.
- Sandpaper on a wood block.
- Varathane indoor spray. Must be the indoor spray. Or SpectraFix spray.
How to Mount the Sumi-e Painting
- Check wood frame surface is clean and dry.
- Lay your painting on the wood frame where you want it and fold the edges to make an impression.
- If your painting has water colour, spray lightly on both sides with the Varathane or SpectraFix spray to set it.
- Paint a thin layer of acrylic medium on the frame to alkalize the surface and let dry.
- Spray rice paper without painting - that is, the backing paper - lightly with water.
- Spread acid-free glue on the surface of the wood frame and smooth the backing paper on it. Smooth from the centre outwards. Remove air bubbles and wrinkles. Let dry for one day.
- Use the sandpaper on a wood block to remove the excess paper from the wood frame.
- Spray your painting lightly with water. Do not lose the creases made earlier to indicate where you want your painting.
- Spread acid-free glue on the surface of the backing paper on the wood frame block. Smooth your painting on the wood frame block. Smooth from the centre outwards. Remove air bubbles and wrinkles. Let dry for one day.
- Use the sandpaper on a wood block to remove the excess paper from the wood frame.
- Spread a thin layer of clear acrylic medium, preferably with UV protection, over the mounted painting. When dry, add one more coating.
The finished work can be framed in a float frame or left unframed.
How to Make Acid Free Glue Yourself
To make your own ph-balanced glue follow these steps:
- In a small container, place a small amount of organic flour, about 1/2 a cup, and mix with three times as much water. Mix until there are no lumps. Cover and place in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
- Remove from the refrigerator and pour off liquid. Pull out the gooey, elastic substance and place in a small saucepan.
- Add twice as much water and mix thoroughly. Place on low to medium heat. Stir continuously until small bubbles form. Do not boil.
- Remove from heat and place in a container to cool. Add 1 or 2 drops of grapefruit seed extract to prevent moulding. The mixture will thicken and become almost solid.
- Store the glue in the refrigerator.
- To use, take a small amount of the solid glue and mix with water until it is similar to a thin pudding. Push your glue through a sieve to remove the lumps.