Pulp painting is the process of creating a handmade sheet of paper, and while the paper is still wet and freshly couched (removed from the mould and deckle), painting on top of it with pigmented pulp. Used in conjunction with stencils, artists can create very complicated images that become completely fused with the final piece of paper. This is different from the traditional practice of merely painting on top of a piece of blank paper, in that you can turn around and print on top of a pulp painted sheet to create layering effects that would otherwise be impossible to make. Not to mention, seeing an image that is completely integrated into a sheet of paper… well, that’s pretty cool.
Pulp painting is one of the many paper based process I’m studying in the graduate book and paper program at Columbia College right now. I’m specifically interested in exploring how pulp painted sheets integrate with encaustic (versus a standard painted paper). I also think there’s a lot of potential for using pulp painted sheets to create depth with encaustic monoprinting. I have some experiments planned for this semester – I’ll be sure to share the results with you.
In the meantime, here’s an interesting stop motion video showing the pulp painting process from start to finish. You may recognize the imagery – this is some of Chuck Close’s work as it is being produced in the studio. As you can see – it takes a team of workers over 6 hours to complete one pulp painting. Between the time, manpower and effort involved, not to mention the use of very expensive and specialized paper making equipment, this kind of work should be worth a lot more than it sells for. In general, the marketplace for handmade paper artwork is undervalued and under-appreciated… but hopefully not for long. (At least, not if I have anything to do with it).
P.S. Chicagoans, don’t forget to buy your tickets to see Chuck in person for “Chuck Close: A Conversation” on May 6 at the Art Institute of Chicago. I’ll see you there.
