The artist’s first documented paintings emerged in the early 1970s. However, Urs Burki did not use canvas as his preferred painting support until 1980. He sometimes used the unprimed side of the painting support and occasionally would paint both sides of the canvas. Painting allowed Urs Burki to enjoy the greatest possible degree of spontaneity and freedom of expression. The artist often painted as if in a trance and would use his whole body. Urs Burki primarily used the following painting materials: oil, acrylic, ink, charcoal, plant extracts, mixed media. In total, the artist left behind over 500 paintings (canvas and paper), including a number of collages.