The Traditional Vóc-Making Process in Vietnamese Lacquer Art

Source: Internet

1. Preparing the Wooden Core for Vóc in Lacquer

Wood is cut into panels according to the required dimensions of the lacquer painting. Traditional types of wood are thoroughly dried, ensuring no shrinkage or termites. Today, high-quality plywood may also be used for added stability.

2. Sealing and Filling

The entire surface of the wooden panel is painted with a layer of raw paint, then a mixture of raw paint mixed with sawdust is used to fill cracks and dents. The purpose is to help the wood core be smooth and increase moisture resistance.

3. Bonding Layer

Another mixture of raw paint diluted with sawdust is spread evenly on the wood surface to create adhesion for the initial base layer of Vóc in Lacquer.

4. Cloth Layer for Crack Prevention

A layer of gauze is covered on the wood panel, paying attention to arrange the fabric fibers perpendicular to each other and to the edge of the wood panel. Next, apply raw paint on top to penetrate each fiber and the wood surface, creating a durable mesh layer to prevent warping and cracking.

5. Cushioning Layer

Use a mixture of raw paint, sawdust and clay to spread evenly on the wood surface vertically and horizontally, creating a soft cushion layer, supporting the following steps.

6. Smoothing and Levelling

The homing process uses a mixture of alluvial soil, lacquer, and paper to fill cracks and fissures on the wood core. Each time the homing is finished, it will need to be left to dry naturally for 2-3 days, then sanded. The homing steps are repeated 4 to 5 times to create the ideal flatness and hardness for the panel.

Today, some artisans replace the traditional mixture with a modern method: using gauze to wrap the wood core, applying waterproof paint and using plaster powder to fill.

7. Initial Lacquer Coating

After the layer dries naturally, the worker will apply diluted lacquer evenly into 3-4 thin layers on the surface. After each layer, the frame needs to be left to dry naturally before continuing. The frame grinding process will use water-based sandpaper to flatten each layer, ensuring the standard smoothness for later painting or decoration.

8. Surface Refinement

The alluvial soil is carefully filtered, mixed with diluted raw lacquer to create a smooth mixture. This mixture is evenly rubbed onto the surface, waited for it to dry, lightly sanded and repeated twice. This step is to create a thick, perfectly smooth surface for the frame.

9. Gloss Base Coat

Use final mature paint (cockroach lacquer or black lacquer) to evenly apply a thin layer on the frame, let it dry, then sand with water. This process is repeated many times to create a smooth, glossy surface. 

10. Polishing

This is the final step, using wet sandpaper to thoroughly polish the surface, ensuring the panel is absolutely flat, ready for lacquer painting.

Source: Internet

In the entire process, the main paint used is lacquer resin collected from lacquer trees that grow abundantly in the northern mountainous provinces, especially Phu Tho. For lacquer makers, lacquer is considered a valuable raw material, because the exploitation and preservation of lacquer resin is extremely difficult and requires high techniques.