Mounting of Chinese Paintings

The mounting 裱糊 biǎohú is a technique that involves gluing a work of art onto a support. In Chinese painting and calligraphy, mounting allows the work to be placed on a silk scroll: this is the famous Kakemono (Japanese word). But mounting is also very important for fixing pigments. The painted rice paper sheet is thus glued onto another sheet of paper. The colors stand out better and the work becomes more rigid and resistant to humidity. It is thanks to mounting that Chinese paintings and calligraphies have been able to survive through the centuries. A Chinese painting or calligraphy can therefore be mounted twice: once (mandatory) on another sheet of paper to fix the pigments and strengthen the work, and a second time to mount the work on a scroll (optional if using a frame). In this article, we present how to mount a Chinese painting or calligraphy onto another sheet of paper. Without this step, the work would be incomplete.

Necessary Materials

- A flat, smooth, and flawless surface (very important) that is waterproof, such as a table.

- Two flat brushes: one large and one medium-sized.

- A sheet of absorbent paper (宣纸 Xuānzhǐ) the same size as the painting to be mounted.

- A sheet of non-absorbent paper (熟宣 Shúxuān) slightly larger than the painting to be mounted (for Gongbi paintings).

Or

- A second sheet of absorbent paper (宣纸 Xuānzhǐ) slightly larger than the painting to be mounted (for Xieyi paintings).

- Perfax glue or homemade glue (which we recommend) according to the following method:

The Glue

Ingredients:

- White flour: 250 g.
- Alum (available cheaply at pharmacies): 5 g.
- Clean water: 700 ml.

Preparation of the Glue:

Place 250 g of flour and 5 g of alum in a container. Slowly add warm water while stirring the mixture until you obtain a viscous paste. Then slowly pour in boiling water while continuing to stir until you get a translucent and elastic paste. Your glue is then ready!

Mounting Techniques

For 工笔 Gōngbǐ Paintings

1. Place the sheet of absorbent paper (宣纸 Xuānzhǐ) on the flat surface.
2. Apply the glue vertically and horizontally with the medium-sized flat brush.
3. Place your painting with the painted side facing up.
4. Place the sheet of non-absorbent paper (熟宣 Shúxuān) on the painted side of your painting.
5. With the large brush, smooth out the sheet of paper so that there are no bubbles.
6. Then turn the whole thing over and continue to smooth with the large brush.
7. Wait for the whole thing to dry, then remove the sheet of non-absorbent paper (熟宣 Shúxuān).
8. Your painting is then ready to be framed or mounted on scrolls.

For 写意 Xiěyì Paintings

1. Place the painting on the flat surface with the painted side down.
2. With the medium-sized flat brush, apply the glue by lifting the painting and gently placing it back down as you pass the brush.
3. Place the first sheet of absorbent paper (宣纸 Xuānzhǐ) in exactly the same manner.
4. Then turn the painting over.
5. Place the second sheet of absorbent paper (宣纸 Xuānzhǐ) on the painted side of your painting and smooth it out with the large brush.
6. Wait for the whole thing to dry, then remove the sheet of absorbent paper (宣纸 Xuānzhǐ).
7. Your painting is then ready to be framed or mounted on scrolls.

Mounting by Image

Step 1

Apply the glue

Step 2

Wipe the table around the sheet.

Step 3

Place the painting with a dry brush.

Step 4

Smooth out while protecting the painting with a dry paper.