Hi, I'm Lisa Ketty, a Danish artist who works with paper pulp and cardboard to create unique wall art. I have a background in digital 3D art, but these days I find myself drawn to working with my hands and reusing materials that would otherwise be thrown away. This guide will walk you through what paper pulp actually is, why I love working with it, and how you can explore this sustainable art form yourself.
What is paper pulp?
Paper pulp is essentially paper that's been broken down into a soft, moldable paste. Think of it as paper that's been returned to its original state before it became a sheet. When you soak paper in water and break it apart, the fibers separate and create this wonderful texture that you can shape, sculpt, and build with.
The beauty of paper pulp is that it starts as something flat and boring, and then transforms into something three-dimensional and alive. You can press it into molds, layer it to create depth, or sculpt it freehand like clay. Once it dries, it becomes surprisingly strong and holds its shape permanently.
I think of paper pulp as a bridge between painting and sculpture. It has this organic quality that makes each piece unique, with textures and edges that you simply can't get from painting on a flat canvas.
How do you get paper pulp?
Getting paper pulp is actually simpler than most people think. The basic process involves taking paper scraps, soaking them in water until they're soft, and then breaking them down into a pulp. Many artists use blenders to speed this up, but you don't actually need fancy equipment to get started.
I make my paper pulp from leftover materials in my studio. Whenever I have paper scraps from other projects, I save them instead of throwing them in the recycling bin. These scraps get soaked in warm water for a few hours or overnight, which softens the fibers and makes them easier to work with.
If you don't have a blender, you can tear the soaked paper into very small pieces by hand and then use your hands to mash and knead it in the water. It takes a bit more time and effort, but it works. The goal is to break down the paper until it has a consistency somewhere between oatmeal and cottage cheese.
Once you have your pulp ready, you can squeeze out excess water and start shaping it. Some people add a bit of glue or paste to make it stronger, but I find that good quality paper creates a pulp that holds together well on its own.
What are the uses of paper pulp?
Paper pulp is incredibly versatile. In my studio, I use it primarily to create relief sculptures and textured wall art. The pulp can be pressed into molds, built up in layers to create dimensional pieces, or sculpted by hand to form masks, abstract shapes, and geometric designs.
Beyond art, paper pulp has been used for centuries to make everything from traditional paper to packaging materials. It's the foundation of papier-mâché, which many of us remember from school art projects. But when you approach it with an artist's eye, paper pulp becomes something much more sophisticated.
I create my paper pulp originals by building up layers and textures that catch light in interesting ways. Some pieces are left natural, while others I paint or treat with metallic finishes. Each original artwork is unique because the paper pulp never dries exactly the same way twice.
The textural quality of paper pulp makes it perfect for creating abstract wall art that has real depth and presence in a room. Unlike a flat print, these pieces change as the light shifts throughout the day.
Why I use paper pulp and cardboard in my art
I came to paper pulp and cardboard through a desire to work more sustainably and hands-on. After years of creating digital art on a computer screen, I wanted to make something physical that I could touch and shape with my own hands. But I also didn't want to add more waste to the world.
That's when I started experimenting with paper leftovers from my studio. Instead of throwing away scraps, I began soaking them and turning them into pulp. It felt good to give these materials a second life. The process itself is meditative and satisfying in a way that digital work never was for me.
Cardboard became another favorite material for similar reasons. I buy sheets of cardboard and transform them into cardboard original artwork by cutting, layering, and assembling geometric shapes. Cardboard has this wonderful rigidity that paper pulp doesn't, which makes it perfect for creating sharp lines and architectural forms.
What I love most about both materials is their honesty. They don't pretend to be something they're not. You can see the texture of the paper fibers, the raw edges of the cardboard. There's a humility to these materials that I find beautiful, and working with them keeps me grounded as an artist.
How is paper pulp dried, and what makes it strong?
Drying paper pulp properly is one of the most important steps in creating lasting artwork. After shaping the pulp, I let my pieces air dry slowly at room temperature. This can take anywhere from a few days to a week depending on how thick the piece is.
The key is patience. If you try to speed up the drying with heat, the pulp can crack or warp. I've learned to just let nature take its course. As the water evaporates, the paper fibers bond together and the piece becomes surprisingly hard and durable.
To make strong paper pulp, the quality of your starting material matters. Better quality paper with longer fibers creates stronger pulp. I also make sure to really work the pulp when I'm mixing it, which helps the fibers interlock better. Some artists add wheat paste or white glue to their pulp mixture for extra strength, but I prefer to keep my process as simple and natural as possible.
Once fully dried, my paper pulp artwork is stable enough to hang on walls for years. I've had pieces in my own home for several years now and they've held up beautifully.
How paper pulp art can be more sustainable
Sustainability isn't just a buzzword for me—it's one of the main reasons I work this way. Every time I create art from paper pulp or cardboard, I'm using materials that already exist instead of buying new, virgin materials.
The paper scraps that become my pulp would have ended up in recycling bins at best, or trash at worst. By turning them into art, I'm extending their usefulness and keeping them out of the waste stream for longer. This feels more meaningful to me than simply recycling them, because the art can last for decades.
Cardboard is similar. I purchase sheets of cardboard, but cardboard itself is made from recycled materials and is fully recyclable at end of life. It's lightweight, which means less fuel is used to ship it, and it doesn't require the chemical processing that many art materials do.
There's also something to be said for working with simple, low-tech materials. I don't need expensive equipment, toxic chemicals, or lots of electricity to create my work. It's just me, some water, paper, glue, and time. This simplicity feels right to me, especially in a world that often feels too complicated and wasteful.
My minimalist artwork approach extends to my materials too. I believe in doing more with less, and paper pulp and cardboard allow me to create impactful pieces without excess.
From originals to posters – turning my paper pulp and cardboard art into prints
While I love creating one-of-a-kind original pieces, I also want my work to be accessible to more people. That's why I photograph my paper pulp originals and cardboard sculptures and turn them into high-quality prints.
These posters are printed on demand, which means I only print what people actually order. There's no warehouse full of excess inventory that might end up in a landfill. Each print is made on archival paper that will last for years without fading, so you're getting a quality product that won't need to be replaced.
The print-on-demand model fits perfectly with my sustainability values. It avoids overproduction and waste while still allowing people who can't afford an original piece to have my art in their homes. I love knowing that someone across the world can have a piece of my cardboard art on their wall, even if they'll never see the original sculpture.
The prints capture the textures and shadows of the original pieces beautifully. While they obviously don't have the three-dimensional quality of the originals, they still show the character and craft of the handmade work.
What is paper pulp regarded as in the art world?
Paper pulp sits in an interesting space in the art world. It's part of a long tradition of paper arts and papier-mâché, but it's also having a moment as contemporary artists rediscover handmade, sustainable practices.
Historically, paper pulp was seen as a craft material rather than a fine art medium. But I think that distinction is becoming less relevant. What matters is the intention behind the work and the skill in execution. When approached thoughtfully, paper pulp art can be just as sophisticated as any other sculptural medium.
I see paper pulp as part of a larger movement toward material awareness in art. More artists are thinking carefully about where their materials come from and what happens to them afterward. Using recycled paper pulp is one way to make art that's conscious of its environmental impact without sacrificing aesthetic quality.
For me, paper pulp is a serious artistic medium that happens to also be sustainable. The two aren't in conflict—in fact, I think the humble nature of the material makes the art more interesting, not less.
The future of paper pulp art
I'm excited about where paper pulp art is heading. As more people become interested in sustainability and handmade objects, I think we'll see renewed appreciation for techniques like this that have been around for centuries.
There's also fascinating experimentation happening with adding different materials to paper pulp. Some artists are mixing in natural dyes, seeds, flower petals, or even stronger fibers like hemp or cotton. These innovations are expanding what's possible with the medium while keeping it eco-friendly.
I'm personally interested in pushing the sculptural possibilities further. While I currently work mostly in relief and wall-mounted pieces, I'd love to explore larger freestanding sculptures made entirely from paper pulp and cardboard. The challenge is always making sure the pieces are structurally sound while still being lightweight enough to handle.
What gives me hope is seeing younger artists embrace these traditional materials. There's a growing recognition that working sustainably doesn't mean compromising on creativity. If anything, limitations often lead to more interesting solutions.
How to explore my paper pulp artwork
If you're curious about paper pulp art and want to see more of what I create, I invite you to browse through my collections. Each piece tells its own story, and I hope you'll find something that speaks to you.
My original paper pulp pieces are one-of-a-kind sculptures that show the full texture and dimensionality of the medium. These are perfect if you're looking for a truly unique statement piece for your home. You can explore all of my paper pulp artwork here.
If you love the look of my cardboard and paper pulp work but want something more affordable, my poster collection offers high-quality prints of my original pieces. These are printed on archival paper and capture the shadows and textures of the handmade originals beautifully. Browse the full collection of prints of my original artworks.
I'm always creating new pieces, so check back often to see what's new. And if you have questions about paper pulp art or want to know more about a specific piece, feel free to reach out. I love talking about this work and connecting with people who appreciate handmade, sustainable art.
Thank you for taking the time to learn about paper pulp with me. I hope this guide has inspired you to look at paper—and art materials in general—in a new way.