Karen Kurka Jensen

painting demonstrations for my students

4 жыл бұрын

From My Studio: Rice Paper Wet Mounting and Finishing

12 жыл бұрын

Hi Karen. I watched your video again to refresh my memory as I am getting ready to mount my first rice paper batik. I have masa paper to use for backing but I wondered if anyone ever mounted rice paper on nice thick watercolor paper for more sturdiness? Is that ever done, or is it more traditional or better to use only Masa or another rice paper to mount Rice paper work on Masa?

@karenkurkajensen2 ай бұрын

I really don't know, Kandi. My question is whether it (watercolor paper) would stretch well along with rice paper? If you try it, let me know what your results are, okay?

@Kandicookheller2 ай бұрын

@@karenkurkajensen Hi Karen. I fear my results were not that great and my Fabriano Hot Press paper started to buckle rather quickly, so I flipped the piece over and sprayed water on the back of the paper and covered it with heavy flat items like colored pencil boxes with rocks on top. Days later it is still a bit damp but clearly a little more warped than I would prefer. I think next time I will try the Masa and do a smaller piece. I neglected also to think about shipping fees if ever sold, framing issues, and the room needed on a wall to hang such a large piece. Sometimes smaller is better. Thanks so much for helping me and taking the time to respond. That's a true teacher. I have been blessed with the best teachers my whole life. I'm grateful to you.

@karenkurkajensen2 ай бұрын

@@Kandicookheller so we learn, yes? If we don't try or experiment with new ideas and ways of doing things, we don't deepen our lives with understanding.

@Kandicookheller3 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for sharing your amazing skills. I'm so happy to have found you and look forward to my subscription and exploring your channel. I just started painting on Masa and rice paper and am going to give batik a go. I love your work and your style.

@karenkurkajensen3 ай бұрын

Thank you, Kandi, for your sweet words. Good luck in all your endeavors, explore and have fun!

@jameselia73883 ай бұрын

When you wet the painting with paste to the table, what prevents it from tearing when you lift it off with the masa paper? And what is the table surface material made of that you’re placing the rice paper onto?

@karenkurkajensen3 ай бұрын

James, my husband made me my painting table. He did a superb job, sanding the wood surface until it was smooth, then he laid down layer after layer of clear varnish, smoothing and sanding each layer carefully until it was like glass! I no longer have that table but now use a sheet of plexi.

@jameselia73883 ай бұрын

I just did a watercolor batik workshop. Which side of the masa paper attaches to the painting (it has a shiny and dry/rough) side. And what is the vertical mounting board made of that you glue the painting/masa paper?

@karenkurkajensen3 ай бұрын

Hi James, that must have been a great workshop! In answer to your questions - use the rough side of the mounting masa paper, think of it as grabbing the painting better and I put my mounted paintings on plywood boards.

@pattifielding48293 ай бұрын

I just love this technique and have been experimenting. I just ran into something that hasnt ever happened. As i began to paint on the paste, it started to pill up (like a sweater). I couldnt get them all up before adding the masa paper. I cant think of anything i did differently as this was my 5th piece. Very weird, have you found that happen before?

@karenkurkajensen3 ай бұрын

Never, Patti, but I've certainly had other things happen. I once used a new paste and it never completely dissolved in the water , I tried again and same outcome so I had to throw it all away. Do you know if it completely dissolved for you? Is it the same paste you've used before? The only other thing I can think of besides a bad batch of paste is the temp and humidity in your studio??

@pattifielding48293 ай бұрын

Same paste for 4 pieces today, although I did add more warm water to dilute it more for this last one (that pilled) but I waited until it wasn't warm... In fact because our kitchen is chilly... It may have been cool. I wondered if maybe it was the side of the rice paper (if that could make a difference). I experiment on both sides to paint on but haven't noticed a difference. I'm doing Gyotaku.

@karenkurkajensen3 ай бұрын

@@pattifielding4829the side of the rice paper shouldn't matter. What kind of paper are you using just for reference? Maybe trying to mount it in your chilly kitchen? Is this where you've mounted the others that worked well?

@pattifielding48293 ай бұрын

@@karenkurkajensen been using inexpensive roll from Hobby Lobby but also done on kozo rice paper and to be honest I had both rolls going at once and now wonder if it's the paper. I'll have to do a test on papers as now I don't know which paper was used on each art work... Ugh ugh... Grrrr. Gotta love learning curves... SAID NO ONE!!! all 5 pieces were done this morning so kitchen chilly couldn't effect just one. Now will all of my artwork left to wet mount, I don't know which was on which paper. Maybe I will inspect with a magnifying glass

@karenkurkajensen3 ай бұрын

@@pattifielding4829hahaha! everyone who is worth their 'salt' goes through difficulties! It makes us better artists in the struggle as we figure things out and better people as we learn to accept and walk through failures. I get you...

@yogizum4 ай бұрын

Beautiful painting great explanation

@patripringle73055 ай бұрын

Gracias por compartir el proceso. 😊

@susanmerila49586 ай бұрын

Thank you. I've never seen a demo on this stage of sumi-e, the actual mounting and readying for framing.

@karenkurkajensen6 ай бұрын

Thank you!

@Pattymelt4159 ай бұрын

COME BACK to KZread! ❤

@karenkurkajensen9 ай бұрын

Hahaha! Appreciate you, Patty... I might try!! I've had a few obstacles these last few years.

@Pattymelt4159 ай бұрын

@@karenkurkajensen ahhh. Got it. Well just know that you are sooo much more a master than most and we sure do appreciate your expertise! ❤️

@karenkurkajensen9 ай бұрын

@@Pattymelt415 hardly a master, Patty but thank you most kindly!

@angelacdef1404 Жыл бұрын

@Angelacdef1404 and I can also be found @Caballero_Fields. Painting with ink is a recent experience for me and I am loving it! your video will definitely improve my work.

@angelacdef1404 Жыл бұрын

Excellent instructional video! Thank you so much for sharing your expertise.

@karenkurkajensen Жыл бұрын

You are so welcome, Angela!

@lmrojasb4691 Жыл бұрын

Beautiful work thank you for share the process

@karenkurkajensen Жыл бұрын

thank you so much!

@madixiaoyao Жыл бұрын

Hi I just came across this and loved your technique ! I was wondering if this would work for calligraphy that’s on rice paper? I bought a piece of china and no where around me does wet mounting.

@karenkurkajensen Жыл бұрын

I believe it would just the same for calligraphy on rice paper as an ink and watercolor sumi-e painting.

@madixiaoyao Жыл бұрын

@@karenkurkajensen thank you so much! Do you have the recipe for the homemade paste you use anywhere? Or know of a good one I could buy?

@karenkurkajensen Жыл бұрын

@@madixiaoyao I do not but google my teacher, Susan Frame, and I think she has the formula/recipe somewhere on her site or blog...

@tracyl.gallant281 Жыл бұрын

Love the tutorial and your work.

@karenkurkajensen Жыл бұрын

Thanks, Tracy, I use a natural wheat wallpaper paste. You can google how to make it. My source for the paste has changed over the years. I stock piled it a couple of years ago and haven't found a new source for it yet other than making it yourself.

@tracyl.gallant281 Жыл бұрын

@@karenkurkajensen Thank you so much for your fast reply. Roman Universal Wheat Dry Mix is the product I picked up yesterday and am anxious to try. 🙂 Fingers Crossed.

@karenkurkajensen Жыл бұрын

@@tracyl.gallant281 Tracy, that looks like it will work. The only thing I get concerned about is strange additives to any paste. But from what I could tell, this looks okay. Good luck!

@tracyl.gallant281 Жыл бұрын

@@karenkurkajensen, this method and your fabulous tutorial has been life changing! I've been printing since 1996 and have tried many "dry" methods with minimal success. Thank you, Thank you! 😀

@Patataf Жыл бұрын

Thanks. I needed this.

@karenkurkajensen Жыл бұрын

Glad to help!

@Diego_Occhipinti Жыл бұрын

Hi, Karen. I've just landed here in your channel and I'm staying. I'd love to find a sumi-e teacher where I live. I never studied any painting technique or basis at all, considering myself too popr gifted for this profound art. But I've been drinking for a long time from the eastern teapot of knowledge. I really like your music choices for your vids and consider a good thing to put a link or reference to it in the description. In case you read this comment, could you tell me what music is that in the bamboo painting vid? Thank you and sorru for my english

@karenkurkajensen Жыл бұрын

Diego, hi - thanks for your kind response. I don't know where you live but contacting the Sumi-e Society of America might help you find a teacher. Also the music used in my videos was chosen by my husband and he doesn't remember where he found it, sorry! He made them himself when I was teaching (I no longer teach) so my students would have extra help/aids in learning the process. They were made a long time ago...

@Diego_Occhipinti Жыл бұрын

@@karenkurkajensen thank you so much for answering and for the info. Peace.

@chrishayes8287 Жыл бұрын

Fascinating, thank you

@karenkurkajensen Жыл бұрын

thanks, Chris!

@michelemyankazt6657 Жыл бұрын

Your work is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

@karenkurkajensen Жыл бұрын

Thank you so very much, Michele!

@joykanemitsu6288 Жыл бұрын

Sumi-e is a Japanese art form using rice paper and black sumi ink.

@InsertMyChineseUsername Жыл бұрын

masa paper seems to be japanese as well

@artisticFROG2 жыл бұрын

What a wonderfully informative video. Thank you so much for sharing your process with us. I'll be watching more videos of yours. I'm fascinated with this process and your beautiful artwork.

@karenkurkajensen2 жыл бұрын

Thank you, you are so kind!

@msl14842 жыл бұрын

Thx. Very helpful. Can you share some ideas for framing the rice paper art please.

@karenkurkajensen2 жыл бұрын

Thank you, MS. I frame my work simply with a black frame and white matting. Because I sell my work in several galleries and have exhibitions each year, I must have a consistent 'look' to my work when it shows together. And because I frame many pieces each year, I use a nice wood frame that is still not too expensive. This may not translate to singular framing...

@msl14842 жыл бұрын

@@karenkurkajensen Appreciated. Thx

@lisafred13622 жыл бұрын

Can you tell me what brush to buy? Thanks in advance.

@karenkurkajensen2 жыл бұрын

Lisa, I do recommend the 'flow' brushes that OAS sells. Their website is orientalartsupply.com/ I recommend the small to medium size to begin with.

@vickilittell56172 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for this demonstration. I have been searching KZread to find someone I could understand with a simple process. When I say simple I understand the importance of moving quickly. However some have demonstrated a much more complicated process than yours.

@karenkurkajensen2 жыл бұрын

I'm so glad, Vicki. This is the method I learned from my sumi-e teachers 25 years ago - it is tried and true!

@silviavolpiansky15572 жыл бұрын

Bellisimo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@karenkurkajensen2 жыл бұрын

Thank YOU!

@gyotakugifts92552 жыл бұрын

Hey thanks for this video really interesting. I’m just getting into this method using a wheat paste. Can I ask do you use just a ply board? When I tried this the tannins in the wood leaked and stained the paper. Thanks

@karenkurkajensen2 жыл бұрын

I use a plywood board to paste the mounted painting to, that said I use a 1/2"-3/8" plywood and its a smooth finished 'SurePly" underlayment plywood. The other thing you can try it to use masking tape (original version) to tape over your knots in the board to reduce the tannin stains...

@gyotakugifts92552 жыл бұрын

Karen Kurka Jensen thanks so much I’ve been watching videos on how to make a traditional kari Bari but that seems too much effort 😂

@brenroseartsoul67132 жыл бұрын

This is such a beautiful demo. Thanks so much for sharing 🙏

@karenkurkajensen2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!

@sheriwalker72042 жыл бұрын

Beautiful painting! Your demonstration was so helpful. I was taught in a class to use a flour and water mixture. Is this any type of wallpaper paste? A recent painting I did with rice paper on a canvas turned out nice but then wrinkled afterward. I will try your technique. Thank you so much!

@karenkurkajensen2 жыл бұрын

you are welcome, Sheri!

@romelmadrayart2 жыл бұрын

hi I am a calligrapher and i use lighetr paper, simply because i cannot access affordably more expensive and higher quality paper. I would like to find out about mounting on plastic. Using acid free PVA glue, would the plastic mounting be considered archival? Would there be any issues mouting on plastic? Also, are all glues acid free. For example if i use a product such as elmers paper glue would that be considered archival. Also you stated that you use wheat paste. What is it made from and is there a recipe? Also I saw a chinese painting instructor using an adhesive backed by silicone what would be the difference between what he is using and my ideas above? Thank you for the video and I know these are a lot of question but f you can provide answers they will be appreciated.

@karenkurkajensen2 жыл бұрын

Romel, nice to hear from you. I'm sorry to say I have no experience in any other mounting process than the one in my video. It's the tried and true method that has been used for generations. I know about the silicone mounting but only through word of mouth, I've never tried it. So I'm sorry but it doesn't seem I can help you on this one...

@romelmadrayart2 жыл бұрын

@@karenkurkajensen Thanks for taking the time to respond. I am trying to figure out a way to see if I can do the mounting with the materials i have on hand. Any instruction or directions for making the paste and is the wheat paste archival. i see some people use rice paste- is that archival?

@karenkurkajensen2 жыл бұрын

@@romelmadrayart I think you can google wheat paste for mounting. I know my teacher, Susan Frame, makes her own and yes, it's archival. I believe the rice paste is also... good luck!

@nancydoyle98012 жыл бұрын

Just the tutorial I was looking for! Thank you, Karen. Can you share the brand of rice paper you use, for I am not sure if that (xuan?) I have is ideal.

@karenkurkajensen2 жыл бұрын

I generally use a Red Star Jen Pi but it's becoming so expensive that I've also been using "Best Shuen" or a good one-ply shuen, also xuan, from Awesome Art Supply and OAS (Oriental Arts Supply) online

@nancydoyle98012 жыл бұрын

@@karenkurkajensen Bless you! I will definitely try these then.

@carovision2 жыл бұрын

So easy, now I can mount my monoprints. Beautiful work.

@karenkurkajensen2 жыл бұрын

I'm so glad you found it helpful, Carol

@2010ymg3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for sharing your technique! It's not easy to find such a thorough tutorial. Your paintings are stunning!

@karenkurkajensen3 жыл бұрын

Thank you, Yolanda!

@heatherschaal8723 жыл бұрын

Your work if just beautiful! Thank you for sharing you process.

@karenkurkajensen3 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@vonaldautterback88313 жыл бұрын

Hi Karen! This is a fascinating process! Thank you for sharing! You mention you use inks? But then say you let the watercolors dry for days. Do you use both inks and watercolors - and mix them? Are the inks acrylic?

@karenkurkajensen3 жыл бұрын

Vonalda, these are techniques in the art form of sumi-e. So I use sumi-e ink with watercolors on very thin rice paper to create my works. Sumi-e ink is water-soluble.

@anjanowackadeklopp7613 жыл бұрын

Thank you.

@2808Girlie3 жыл бұрын

Since you work in water colours, I'm wondering why they don't run when you add the wet wheat paste.

@karenkurkajensen3 жыл бұрын

June, the watercolors are completely dry, in fact, I usually let them dry for a few weeks before I mount so that they are set.

@2808Girlie3 жыл бұрын

@@karenkurkajensen Thank you very much, and thanks for taking the time to reply. I really enjoyed and appreciated this fine video.

@oieholm85273 жыл бұрын

Hello, thank you for this video. Are there any western alternatives for the backing paper? Why Masa paper for the backing? Just wondering cause Masa is currently unavailable in my country but would still like to have archival and a beautiful outcome :)

@karenkurkajensen3 жыл бұрын

Oie, I get my masa paper from Hiromi Paper Inc - store.hiromipaper.com/pages/online-store. Please reach out to them, they may have the answer for you...

@taratiara16783 жыл бұрын

Where did you get the brushes from?

@karenkurkajensen3 жыл бұрын

Blue Heron Arts and Awesome Art Supply both carry mounting brushes

@karenkurkajensen3 жыл бұрын

Also just found them here - www.sumiestore.com/store/c26/Mounting.html

@sigridartmann76743 жыл бұрын

thank you!!! I'm going to try...

@wm.kirksuedmeyer11703 жыл бұрын

Very well done Karen!, May I ask what brand of wallpaper paste do you use and where do you get the masa paper? Thanks! Kirk

@karenkurkajensen3 жыл бұрын

Kirk, I use an all-natural wheat wallpaper paste from Natural Supply Co online. My mounting paper is masa paper and you can get it from almost any good art supply company. Let me know if you have any problems locating these materials.

@wm.kirksuedmeyer11703 жыл бұрын

@@karenkurkajensen Thank you!- I am thinking this will do well for mounting my Gyotaku (japanese fish printing), which naturally wrinkles terribly. I'm thinking masa roll instead of sheets. thanks again! kirk

@karenkurkajensen3 жыл бұрын

@@wm.kirksuedmeyer1170 Yes, it will be great for Gyotaku - Hiromi Paper Co sells rolls of Masa...

@wm.kirksuedmeyer11703 жыл бұрын

@@karenkurkajensen ....hmmmm not finding the wallpaper paste on natural supply co ..... Kirk

@karenkurkajensen3 жыл бұрын

@@wm.kirksuedmeyer1170 Kirk, so sorry - it's Natural Craft Supply