A procedure for mounting drawings with paste

[Laura B. Shelley]

This is adapted from a couple of posts I made on another art forum a few weeks ago. I've put this procedure together from several sources including the Cennini forum and some books on wood-block printing and traditional book-binding (which I took a course in ages ago).

Materials:

Starch paste. This can be rice, wheat or dextrin paste. There are various kinds, but all of them are non-staining to paper, archival and reversible with water. I make it from scratch using glutinous (sweet) rice flour. That

[Mike McCarty]

Laura,

Would you define archival, as it relates to our purpose.

[Laura B. Shelley]

When I describe rice paste as archival, I mean that it retains its function (adhesion) and is non-destructive to the artwork over the long term. I realize "archival" is an overused and abused term, just like "acid-free".

Wheat starch paste has similar qualities to rice and is probably more widely available from art suppliers. It's usually in the framing and conservation section of the catalog, or check the bookbinding section if there is one.

[Holly Snyder]

Thanks Laura for taking the time to explain your procedure, it's very helpful. I'd be interested if you find a solution for Kitty Wallis's paper.

Regards,

Holly