REKISEISHA, established for over 105 years, has been creating several products as a bridge between the modern art of using metal leaf and the aesthetic sense of Japanese style.
One of these products is "Metal Leaf Paper," which is a fusion of technology and beauty inherited from ancient times with modern sensibility and skill.
Metal Leaf Paper comes in four different sizes, ranging from A3 to larger, and they can be used in a wide variety of ways, such as interior decoration and artwork creation.
In this article, we would like to introduce you our latest products "Metal Leaf Paper", which is made of REKISEISHA's original Torinoko paper and covered with a multitude of various metal leaf, such as the gold leaf, aluminum, copper, red pearl leaf, blue pearl leaf, etc., by utilizing the most advanced artisan techniques.
When we talk about metal leaf, the first thing that comes to mind is definitely "gold".
There are several types of gold leaf, but this is called "You-kinpaku, and it is made of brass, an alloy of copper and zinc. It is also used as the substitute for gold leaf.
■ Lattice Pattern / Small
39mm square foil is arranged in a lattice-like pattern. It allows you to feel the beauty hidden under the fabric, which the texture is unique from the usual design.
■ Large Flakes
After cutting the large-size metal leaf into large pieces or flakes, it is attached to the Gold Leaf Paper as if it were scattered on the ground. And the light and shadow refracted by this unique metal leaf design accentuate the unique bluish-gold color of gold leaf.
■ Rinpa Style
The edges of the metal leaf are in a regular arrangement but are boldly pasted to, creating a unique impression. This collage design is inspired by Japanese Rinpa painting style.
Next, we introduce you to the “Red Pearl and Blue Pearl Leaf”.
Both are made with a special technique that can only be found in Japan, in which silver leaf is smoked with sulfur to change its color through a sulfurization reaction. The longer the metal leaf is smoked, the more it changes color from red to blue and to black.
■ Mounted on Paper
Each metal leaf is pasted together in a uniform pattern, giving the viewer a straightforward sense of the natural beauty of the metal leaf.
■ Front Leafing
Torinoko paper, silk (1 sheet) and metal leaf are applied in sequential order. As you touch, you can feel the well-balanced unique texture of metal leaf and silk.
■ Reverse Leafing
Torinoko paper, metal leaf and silk (1 sheet) are applied in sequential order.
Since the silk is on the top of the layer, you’re able to feel the grain of the silk and see the shine of the metal leaf faintly coming through from the back, and it has a strong resistance to friction.
■ Wood-grain Pattern
Two sheets of silk are applied on top of the mounted metal leaf. The moiré created by the overlapping silk brings out the grain of the wood, and the shimmer of the metal leaf can be seen through those grains, making this a unique product.
Of the above four types, this Metal Leaf Paper has the highest frictional strength.
The image above is a comparison of four different types of Red Pearl Leaf Paper. You can see the differences in the presence and absence of silk grain and the layering.
Metal Leaf Paper by itself looks great in a spacious interior, however, with the unique textures of silk, such as front leafing, reverse leafing, wood-grain pattern, etc., it can be used to create expressions in paintings according to your preference.
Since each Metal Leaf Paper design is one of a kind, perhaps you may treasure every encounter with your selected Metal Leaf Paper!
There are more patterns and designs than the ones shown here, so you can choose the metal leaf, glossiness, coloration, etc. that best suits your needs and preferences.
Metal Leaf Paper
https://pigment.tokyo/en/collections/metal-leaf-papers
※Sizes larger than 445 x 295 mm are made to order, therefore, please note that shipping time will vary depending on the type and size of paper.
We also offer a Leaf Gift set that contains several types of handmade gold and silver paper scraps and is randomly filled with a combination of Metal Leaf Paper, metal leaf and other materials.
In this Leaf Gift set, it includes specially designed paper that is quite different from the Metal Leaf Paper, perhaps you may have to open it and see the surprise yourself!
You can use them to make collages, original greeting cards, and ornaments.
Even though the Metal Leaf Paper is beautiful on its own, I’m sure you are very curious about how these papers can be combined or used with other art materials.
In this article, one of our PIGMENT TOKYO staff is going to show you how she paints on Metal Leaf Paper by using transparent watercolors, Gofun, Sumi ink, masking ink, etc., which we used for the samples in our previous article, "Creating Your Own Transparent Watercolors”.
Since the surface of the paper has a special coating, if too much water is used in the painting process, the Sumi ink and watercolor will spread away because they cannot be absorbed by the paper, but in the case of thick Sumi ink, you can paint it directly without worry.
The branches are painted with a brownish-black ink called "Eiraku," which has been rubbed to a darker shade so that even the tips of the branches can be drawn with clean lines. Moreover, the thicker branches are painted with other paints.
In the picture above, masking ink was used to create the look of the leaf veins.
Apply a layer of masking ink to the area you want to leave blank, and continue drawing after the ink dries. Once the ink is dry, erase the inked area with an eraser and you are done!
I think the fun of drawing on Metal Leaf Paper is that the designs and impression of the metal leaf and drawing changes depending on which angle you look at it.
Please refer to the following article for more information and examples.
【FEATURES】Play with Metal Leaf
https://pigment.tokyo/en/blogs/article/82
Feel free to check out the sample catalogue of actual Metal Leaf Paper if you have a chance to visit PIGMENT TOKYO.
Depending on the space and lighting, the light emitted from the metal leaf will change and reflect differently, giving a sense of elegance and aesthetic regardless of your art culture or living era.
This will be a good chance for you to bring metal leaf into your artwork as either a support or the main material.
Rekiseisha Co.
For those who missed out Instagram Live stream, here’s the link for the recorded video.
<Instagram LIVE Collaboration - Rekiseisha Co.×PIGMENT TOKYO ->
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CIhkKsLi-21/
Art Materials Expert at PIGMENT TOKYO
Natsuko Shiraishi
Graduated from the Textile Design at Tama Art University. She is an artist who mainly works with original Washi paper and calligraphy.
Graduated from the Textile Design at Tama Art University. She is an artist who mainly works with original Washi paper and calligraphy.