A complete system for successfully flattening your works on paper and mounting them to wood panels with a clean, professional finish.
Most artists are taught how to create. Very few are taught how to finish. Surface control and structural presentation are rarely covered in depth. But they determine stability and professionalism, and ultimately, your sales.
Flatten Works on Paper teaches you how to eliminate buckling, warping, and waves. Mount Paper to Panel teaches you a unique, alternative method to traditional framing paper works. Together, they create a complete finishing system that will elevate your work.
Watch "Flatten Works on Paper" Course Intro
Watch "Mount Paper to Panel" Course Intro
When your paper is buckled, framing makes it even more noticeable and mounting becomes impossible. And when mounting isn’t done correctly, even flat work can fail over time. Flatten Works on Paper teaches you how to finally get your paintings to lie flat, every time. Mount Paper to Panel teaches you how to turn a piece of paper into a structural piece that’s ready to hang, unique, and draws people in.
Together, these courses form a complete professional finishing system. Your finished works on paper will be flat and ready for mounting. Your panels will be properly prepped so your work won’t yellow over time. The edges will be flush and perfect. And your painting’s surface will be protected from UV rays, dust and dirt. This isn’t about shortcuts. It’s about understanding both the surface and the structure so your work holds up for years to come.
This course is for artists who:
After this process:
These techniques are not meant for finished collaged works or thin paper like sketchbook paper.
This is a highly detailed, in-depth professional finishing process, not quick classes, and definitely no shortcuts. This is the same flattening and mounting process I use for collectors, commissions, interior designers, art consultants, and professional projects.
★★★★★
These courses contain the must-have knowledge for artists working on paper. Buckled paper can ruin the artwork and significantly lower its value. If you have waited for the secret sauce to achieve perfect presentation, Kim’s course is your answer! I think I have found the perfect alternative to framing my artworks on paper. Framing costs have always lowered any margin that an artist can make. But there is finally an alternative that is both modern and archival grade! Kim’s artwork has pushed boundaries and trends, now she has done it again with framing.
— Maris Hanson on Course Bundle: Flatten Works on Paper & Mount Paper to Panel
★★★★★
As an artist looking for a clean, modern way to present work, Kim's Mount Paper to Panel course spelled out all the details needed to create professional presentations and archival mounting that every artist could benefit from! Her in-depth descriptions of supplies and clear, detailed steps of her methods eliminate the trial-and-error with supplies and techniques. This is invaluable to someone who wants to spend their time creating, not researching and testing. I can’t wait to apply this new knowledge to my art and photography. I sense a polished turn in how I present my work going forward!
— Liz Potter on Mount Paper to Panel
★★★★★
Flatten Works on Paper gives excellent step by step instructions on effective ways to flatten artworks on paper. Super easy to follow. Mount Paper to Panel is a great way to present artworks on paper without using glass! Kim is a wonderful instructor! She makes the process easy to understand and replicate.
— Nancy Smith on Course Bundle: Flatten Works on Paper & Mount Panel to Paper
Join today to get both courses for flattening finished paintings on paper and mounting them onto wood panels, so you can take your work from buckled to beautiful with a clean, professional, gallery-ready presentation.
Hi! I’m Kim Knoll, a professional abstract painter living in the heart of Chicago, with my studio in Humboldt Park. I have 10 years of experience making paintings on paper for collectors, art consultants, interior designers, and high-end hospitality and retail brands.
When you create works on paper, your presentation becomes part of the artwork itself. Buckling and warping can cheapen your work. Framing it behind glass can be expensive, prone to breakage during shipping, create distracting glares, and make it harder for your work to stand out in an already saturated market. That's why I began mounting my finished paintings on paper directly onto cradled wood panels, as a professional, unique, and affordable alternative that I can do myself. Over the years, I refined my flattening and mounting processes into proven, reliable methods that I'm now sharing with you!
The courses are taught in a way that is easy to follow and understand for artists looking to learn these skills, whether just starting out or looking to refine their process. Just know these courses are very in-depth and wouldn’t be considered casual education or quick classes. These courses are designed for serious artists who want to build professional skills and are willing to invest time and effort. If you are more of a hobbyist, these courses may not be for you.
Yes. If your paper is buckled, warped or wavy, you’ll need to flatten it prior to mounting. That’s why I made these courses, to go hand in hand.
No prior experience is needed. The process is taught step by step with clear instructions as if it’s your first time, so it can be followed whether you’re new to mounting or are refining your current method.
The flattening and mounting process is safe for heavyweight, uncoated fine art papers (300 gsm / 140 lb minimum), like watercolor paper and mixed media paper. The example used in the course is on Arches 356 gsm (156 lb) watercolor paper.
The sealing methods in the mounting course will work with:
• Watercolor
• Ink
• Acrylic
• Gouache
• Spray Paint
• Charcoal
• Pastel
• Mixed media
These techniques are not meant for finished collaged works or thin paper like sketchbook paper.
Yes, all the materials I use in the course and recommend are artist-grade, professional, and archival.
When done correctly on a heavyweight, uncoated fine art paper that has a minimum weight of 300 gsm (140 lb), each process is safe and should not damage your artwork. I always recommend practicing on test sheets first, before applying any new techniques or mediums to your final painting.
Yes! In fact, the painting I'm using as an example in each course is 52 x 38" to show you how it can be done, and by yourself. The process is scalable and works for paper of any size.
No special equipment is needed, but there is a list of supplies you'll need to complete the mounting process that you can find at most art stores or online. For the flattening process, you likely have the supplies in your studio that are needed.
The total watch time for the courses is 3 hours and 2 minutes. The Flatten Works on Paper course is 30 minutes and the Mount Paper to Panel course is 2 hours and 32 minutes long. Putting each process into practice takes days to complete, depending on the drying and cure times.
The courses are taught in English and include English subtitles for those who are deaf or hard of hearing.
The courses are pre-recorded and designed to go at your own pace. Each step of the process is in its own video module so it's easy to remember where you left off. Having the steps separated also allows you to easily skip to the parts you want to see again. Sharing these processes live isn't an option since there are long drying and cure times involved.
You'll have unlimited access to the courses once you sign up so you can revisit the lessons at any time.
I'm happy to answer any questions you have about the processes. You can ask them as a comment inside the video lesson or you can email me directly. My email will be shared with you once you join the course.
Give your works on paper a professional, gallery-ready look by mounting them to wood panels. This is a unique (and more affordable) alternative to traditional framing behind glass that you can do yourself. This course covers prepping your panel, mounting your painting to the panel, sealing the painting based on the medium you used, and adding a frame to the panel. Plus, you'll learn how to prevent and fix common issues like air bubbles.
End the cycle of frustration and guesswork with my proven method for getting all of the buckling and warping out of finished paintings on paper, every time, so they're ready for mounting or framing. This simple technique can also be used to stretch the paper before you paint.
