Supporting an artwork

1. Choose only smooth, absorbent, unsized, 1-ply rice paper to support a painting or calligraphy, and the paper should be the same thickness of the artwork and large enough to extend 1 and 1/4" beyond its edges.
   
   
2. Wait several weeks to let ink or paint to cure if it is freshly painted. Place the artwork face down on table and sprinkle lightly with water to let it stretch. Omit this step if it is a sized rice paper. Brush a thin, even coat of thin paste to the back of the artwork with a soft, wide paste brush, starting from the center and working out to the edges. Apply a little pressure to smooth out any uneven, wavy spots. Pick out any loose brush hair with a pair of tweezers.
   
   
   
   Roll the supporting paper up with its observing side facing out. Spread the paper to the back of the artwork with left hand hanging the paper down and right hand sweeping it flat by a coir scrub brush in an up-and-down motion. Bubbles can be removed by tapping the brush. Both artwork and backing paper must be perfectly smooth. If any wrinkle is found, take the supporting paper off and redo this step.
   
   
3. Apply thin paste to the edge of supporting paper and place a paper loop on the edge. Lift the wet piece off the table by upper edge and glue it to a upright mounting board. Make sure there is sufficient air between the board and the artwork. Tap the edges over by the coir brush to ensure a good bond. Let it dry overnight.