Transporting / Flying with Gouache Paintings

[tensai]

Hi there,

I have to fly with 12 to 14 pieces to bring them over to an exhibition in Europe. I can pack most of the stuff in a case with just the drawings, some gouache and watercolour paintings and some prints.

Three of the pieces are 80 x 55 cm (32"x22"). These are; one drawing, one drawing with gouache, and one drawing with acrylic. All on a certain Japanese paper (Watson Reo Barugi) normally used for silkscreen or block prints (think 200/220gr/m2 and hot press finish).


They are very big to check-in and rely on them coming out unfolded (carrying them is gonna be a bitch with the other stuff I have to bring but it's the handling by others I'm a bit hesitant about).
Rolling them up is smaller but might crack the paints (overall not heavily applied).
I've rolled prints bigger than this and that's fine but this is of course something else. Paint and paper wise.

So, which of the evils to choose, and how would you minimise the chosen method's problems?
Any thoughts much appreciated.

[Flake]

Roll them, inside an architects planning tube. Plastic, sturdy.

Airport staff just toss stuff around, you don't want to go there.

If the'll survive rolling, go with the near bulletproof option.
/2p worth

[tensai]

If I roll them of course I'll put them in a plastic tube,

If they'll survive rolling

which is basically the main question. Will I destroy them by rolling, or not roll them and let the cargo boys practice their chopping and frisbee skills.

[t11]

Do you have a spare piece or scrap similar to how you worked on these that you could test out your options with? If you worked thin I don't see much of a problem with cracking since those are both pretty flexible mediums, i've had to roll drawings/paintings with thick use of acrylic and haven't had any problems with cracking much to my own surprise. Best of luck though :)

[tensai]

I'm doing that now. The acrylics I'm not that worried about, although I know this paper has a strong 'memory' so it doesn't like to be rolled that much. It's the gouache that's bugging me. But like you are saying, I'm doing a test.

[arttorney]

I think thin gouache will be OK. Tempera definitely cracks. I'm worried about the paper getting a crease.

Shipped flat is just asking for one of those luggage guys to stack another box or suitcase on top and deform your package, eventually resulting in damage to the artworks. I think the tube method might be easier of disassembly/reassembly if a security dude needs to look inside. I wouldn't trust those guys to get all my bubble wrap carefully placed back around my flat works before cramming them back into the box.

[Elwell]

I would never roll a gouache painting.

[Grendel Grack]

I agree with Elwell's comment. Gouache doesn't hold up well to rolling. You also have to consider the damage that unrolling and flattening it will cause. Perhaps using a clear, rigid, plastic print protector like this Art Envelope (http://www.dickblick.com/products/alvin-art-envelopes/) for the gouache painting would be a good idea. It will at least help to prevent it from bending. This in addition to the regular packing material should keep it safe.

[Flake]

I just tested rolled up gouache on paper for science and it didn't end well, some colours held up perfectly but others cracked like crazy paving.

Please disregard my previous comment and forward my "Bad Advice of the Week" award to the usual address.
I can only assume that the last time I tried this I had acrylics mixed with the gouache and that held them together or something.

My bad.:teeth:

[rattsang]

why not send the paintings ahead by courier?

[Elwell]

why not seen the paintings ahead by courier?

My thoughts exactly.

[tensai]

Well I did a test and found out that I was using this stuff called Acrylic Gouache (there is nothing gouache about it, it's just more matte acrylics I think). Nonetheless the paper is really really stubborn and there's no way I will be rolling it up. I'm either sending it or bringing it in a case that I'm making. Thanks for all the input.