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This information is reprinted from the Beginner Topics
column of Hand Papermaking Newsletter #65 (January, 2004).
To learn how to order Hand Papermaking bi-annual magazine
and quarterly newsletter, click
here.
Pulp Painting
If you have been following this column you now have
colored pulp (see the previous two issues on dyes and
pigments) and it seems appropriate to write about things to
do with that pulp. The following are some easy suggestions
for being colorful.
Pulp for painting is ideally finely beaten using a
Hollander beater. If you do not have access to this type of
equipment you may wish to order pulp from a supplier. It is
also possible to make blender pulp using abaca fiber that is
quite satisfactory for several of the following techniques.
The “pallet” of colors created may be put into zip-lock
baggies and stored in the refrigerator.
When using painting techniques it is best to form a base
sheet of plain pulp and work on top of it. To paint using a
brush it is necessary to mix methyl cellulose or formation
aid (from a paper supplier) into the colored pulp to achieve
a flowing, workable color. The ratio of colored pulp to
additive is a matter of experimentation. Once achieved, the
colored pulp may be handled like a regular painting medium.
Just set up your cups of pulp and paint.
Two other uses for painting pulp are quite simple. The
first is to make or purchase stencils. Stencils are easily
cut from mylar and a wide variety are available precut from
paint and hobby stores. The stencil is simply laid on the
base sheet and the colored pulp pushed through the pattern
with a spoon or small brush.
Syringes, squirt bottles, and/or turkey basters can be
filled with pulp and used as drawing tools. The pulp needs
to be mixed with water, but then it can be used in spray
bottles. When using pulp in containers it is very important
to keep shaking the mixture as the heavier pulp will settle
to the bottom.
I said two, but here is another. Masking and making
negative resists is a very simple technique. Just cut strips
or shapes of pellon or mylar and layer and build color areas
around these masks on your base sheet. Two dimensional
objects may also be created in this manner.
The largest question is simply where to begin. Have fun!
Copyright 2004 Hand Papermaking, Inc.
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