MITRA Forum Question Details

​According to the distributor, Legion Paper FAQ's:

"Is YUPO archival when used with oil paints?

YUPO is a totally inert material and therefore is completely archival. However, the composition of the oils being used will ultimately determine the painting's overall longevity."

Of course, that doesn't speak to overall suitability as a support for oil painting, or how well oil paint adheres to a Yupo surface. It seems rough enough to promote a mechanical bond, but because Yupo is flexible and non-absorbent, personally I would avoid thick, continuous films and heavy impasto. Our conservation experts may have thoughts on treatment challenges unique to this material, including how easily an oil paint film might lift from Yupo during cleaning.

​Also, when most artists say "archival" what they mean is something like "durable to the standards of permanent art" or "guaranteed to stand the test of time". I have always maintained that "archival" really means something more like "safe for long-term contact with valuable objects". Not all archival preservation supplies are suitable for making permanent art, and not all art materials are safe for use in archival storage. I'm sure I've written this here before, but I feel it's important to post for the benefit of the broader audience.