Q: While in Costa Rica, I purchased a large sheet of banana
paper. I plan to use it as a canvas for oil paint. How should I prepare
the paper?
A: Banana paper has a variety of textures and weights,
depending on the manufacturer. Some of these papers are actually made
of a mixture of kozo (which is a fiber from the mulberry tree commonly
used in Japanese papermaking), banana leaf chunks, and bark from the
banana tree. I would suggest applying at least two coats of
high-quality, archival gesso to the paper, and Lascaux makes a very
good product. Dilute the gesso 10% to 20% with water, and apply at
least two coats evenly, allowing two to three hours of drying between
each layer. For a smoother surface, the gesso can be lightly sanded.
--by Camille LaPointe-Lyons