WHAT IS PULP PAINTING?

Pulp painting is done during the process of making a sheet of handmade paper. The paper mould together with the deckle (a frame around the mould) is dipped into a vat of water with beaten cotton pulp. The deckle traps pulp on the surface of the mould. The mould’s surface is a screen so the water drains away leaving a layer of pulp. The deckle is removed and the mould is pressed onto a felt releasing the pulp onto the felt. At this point adding pigmented finely beaten pulp is a bit like finger painting with applesauce. Stencils can be used and with water the pulp can be manipulated to flow. The pigments are earth also metal oxides which makes them very lightfast. After the image is made another felt is placed on top and the sheet is pressed in a 20 ton hydraulic press. At this point it is still mainly water but the pressure has made an ionic bond of the hydrogen molecules and is Paper ! and can be handled and put in a dryer with air flowing under moderate pressure. Drying time depends on the thickness of the sheet.