Yupo is challenging, unique art form

When is watercolor paper not paper? When it is Yupo.

If you have ever gone ice skating, then painting on Yupo is sort of like that. There is plenty of room for creativity, spontaneity and imagination and most definitely surprises.

This synthetic poured resin is a substrate for painting that is slick, impervious to water and will not tear. It presents challenges that can be mind-boggling and frustrating to an artist, or just plain fun.

Having a loaded brush sail across the page is not for everyone. Whether using watercolor, gouache or watered-down acrylic paints, the brush skates across the bright white, shiny, slick surface attempting to have some resemblance of control.

The upcoming show at Bagels Alaska, on the Palmer Wasilla Highway, that opens with a reception from 1 to 3 p.m., Oct. 8 features many of my Yupo pieces and offers something to think about for those traditionalists who are used to seeing paint on canvas or paper. The title of the show is “Loosey Goosey” and is also the name of one of the watercolor paintings on Yupo.

When creating an art piece, the signature style of the artist still shows through; however, because Yupo is waterproof, there is a whimsical freshness that charms the dullest of styles. It is like painting on glass.

How does paint adhere to such a slippery nonporous surface? By applying the paint in single strokes, whether pushing, dragging or dancing the brush along the surface, and then leaving it to dry in puddles or skid marks. The artist has completed the first step. This will dry according to the thickness of the diluted paint, which may mean it takes minutes or days to dry.

I like working on large sheets about the size of pillowcases, so hanging the Yupo to dry on a clothesline has worked well when there is a slight breeze. It has occurred to me that birds flying over could add unwanted texture, but this has not happened, so far.

When the paper is dry, it is still very vulnerable to moisture, which will remove the paint that was applied. The artist may add more paint carefully with one-stroke painting over the existing paint and not disturb the first layer. But one must be very careful when going back for a second run for fear of the watery paint wreaking havoc with the fun you are having. Rubbing and wiping may bring back the very white paper-like surface that you started on. The good news is that you can start over with a clean sheet.

Some have suggested acrylic spray as a finish. I have tried it, but prefer the raw look of the paint without the spray. Putting the artwork under glass is necessary only if you don’t spray, but I prefer the glass anyway. I often choose no mat, which seems harmonious with the contemporary medium.

Using transparent paints is ideal so that the artist can lift areas, as desired, back down to the paper to create whites. However, if using staining colors and then attempting to wipe clean, there is a lovely hint of the pigment left reflecting from the shiny surface. This is seen in the painting “Timeless,” which is of a waterfall in the sumi-e` (oriental inking) tradition and will be shown at Bagels Alaska.

It was no surprise to me that the main headquarters for manufacturing Yupo is in Japan. Yupo can be rolled up like rice paper without wrinkling, so it is easy to transport. It is great for one-stroke style painting, traditional to the Orient.

Yupo is available in banner-size rolls or sheets of all sizes. There are different weights, depending on one’s preference. And there is opaque and translucent available; however, I have not found a successful use for the translucent at this time. It can be purchased in tablets in stores that carry art supplies or as large sheets from paper suppliers. Since it is big enough and strong enough for banners, it is used commercial by sign-makers.

As I continue to explore the possibilities with Yupo, I ask myself, “to Yupo or not to Yupo?” and I don’t have to be Shakespeare to answer that one. It is ironic to say the slick surface grabs me, but I am absorbed with the notion that I, too, can learn to ice skate.

Suzanne Bach, fine arts coordinator at Mat-Su College and guest writer for the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman, can be reached at creative@alaska.com.