Fixing Yupo paintings

Paw2 wrote

on 23 Jun 2010 9:07 AM

oh dear my  "L" is not printing again.  sick is suppose to be slickl   upoad is suppose to be  upload. sigh,

  Paw

judyl40 wrote

on 23 Jun 2010 10:56 AM

Please see this thread if you are having problems uploading images in the forums:

http://www.artistdaily.com/forums/t/18.aspx

If you're still having problems, please contact Courtney via conversations. You should be able to find her on your own member page. (Click on your own name to get to your page; you will see a photo of Courtney "cjordan" on the right hand side, in your friends column. Click her photo & then Start a Conversation)

Mike on yupo wrote

on 12 Nov 2010 10:52 AM

Hi Lori:

I paint on yupo and always fix the final surface to prevent damage.  I use Pebeo Matt picture varnish and apply at least two coats, sprayed from different directions.  Always allow the work to thoroughly dry before fixing it.  Also, a word of warning, do this in a very well ventilated area as the spray has a strong smell when drying.  You can check out some of my work at http://mikeswatercolours.blogspot.com.

Hope this helps

Mike

Margaret Been wrote

on 16 Jan 2012 2:58 PM

I have been working a lot on YUPO paper, and love it.  It takes some getting used to.  I wondered about the fixative, also,  But as long as the painting doesn't get wet, it will stay.  Since you mat and frame it, it should last without a fixative---probably better than pastel paintings would without a fixative.

YUPO artist, Taylor Ikin, doesn't like to use the spray.  She says the only time she uses a fixative is when someone else will be doing the matting and framing.  Then she just sprays around the edges of the painting, where a careless framer might touch.  Taylor Ikin certainly sells, and hangs her work in gallieries.

I mat my paintings, with a backing as well as the mat, and then put them in a clear envelope.  I have all size envelopes to fit my standard size mats.  But I do put a message on the back of the backing which reads:  "This watercolor was done on YUPO paper---an environmentally friendly, archival synthetic surface.  Assuming you will not run a truck over the painting, or handle it with wet hands or pour hot fudge on it, it will last in a frame for decades or longer.  The painting may be safely kept in this clear envelope until it is transferred with its mat, into a frame."

The only danger would be if someone were silly enough to poke at the painting with wet fingers.  Who would do that anyway?!  A pastel painting is a lot more fragile, as the chalk dust can come off in the frame, and fingers can smudge the painting.  Pastel artists do not like to use the fixative because it tends to dull the pastels.  Yet great art museums contain many pastels.

I recommend Taylor Ikin's DVD, Dancing with YUPO.  Her method is totally different from what one would do on 140# rag papers.  It's amazing!

Margaret Been wrote

on 16 Jan 2012 3:02 PM

Carmen, where do you live in Wisconsin?  I live in Nashotah, near Oconomowoc.  I love YUPO, and would love to get together with other artists, for sharing ideas, etc.  I have artist friends but they don't like YUPO. 

Margaret Been wrote

on 31 Jan 2012 4:47 PM

Since posting about not fixing YUPO paintings, I have discovered a fixative which does not dull the colors and does not cause the paint to run.  It's Blair 100.  I use it outdoors, wear a mask, and goggles as it's a bit intense for a few minutes.  But the fumes disappear fast and it works.  I do feel better about selling less fragile paintings!

Jan Schafir wrote

on 2 Mar 2012 11:30 AM

Hi,  yes, they will be safe if they do not come in contact with moisture,  otherwise you will have a brand new painting.  Spraying may help, but be careful not to get it too wet or, again, it will alter the painting.

Beckith wrote

on 24 Mar 2012 4:09 PM

I always fix my Yupo paintings. I live in a rainy place and you just never know. I haven't found a problem with the color dulling at all. I love Yupo. Every time a I use I discover a new way to get effects that I want and always some surprises too!. 

Margaret Been wrote

on 26 Mar 2012 7:33 AM

Yes, I am now spraying the Yupo.  I use Blair 105, and it really works--doesn't dull the colors, and it doesn't disturb the paint on the surface.

I feel much better about offering the paintings for sale when they are protected from accidents--although any painting should be handled carefully!  :)

Margaret Been wrote

on 26 Mar 2012 7:33 AM

Yes, I am now spraying the Yupo.  I use Blair 105, and it really works--doesn't dull the colors, and it doesn't disturb the paint on the surface.

I feel much better about offering the paintings for sale when they are protected from accidents--although any painting should be handled carefully!  :)

ArtistMom wrote

on 5 May 2012 5:45 PM

Hi Lori, Northern Ontario artist here, Alice Sawicki. Yes I paint with watercolour, watercolour crayons, and have painted with water down acrylics on yupo, great fun. To protect my pieces I use a Krylon low order clear matt  spray.  Spray it at least twice, once horizontally and again vertically, Once dry; I like to wait few hours before next step which is spray it with Krylon Kamar Varnish. For varnish spray it outside  or well ventilated room. Nothing moves from the paper after that. Been doing it for a number of years with no problems. You can view a few of my pieces at www.ArtistMom.net.  First painting on there is done on Yupo.  Hope this helps. bye for now

Alice Y. Seguin Sawicki