Painting on Wood Panels: A Guide to Plywood, MDO & HDO Supports for Oil, Acrylic & Tempera
Painting on wood panels? Learn how plywood, MDO, and HDO boards serve as durable supports. This guide covers stability, surface prep, pros & cons, and…
Category: Wood
Wood has been used as a support since encaustic paintings of ancient Greece. Wood is coated with size (a glutinous material) to fill pores and with gesso (a mixture of glue and gypsum or chalk), on which a painting is executed. Today, wood panels for painting are a range of derivative wood products, called “engineered wood”, manufactured by binding fibers, veneers or boards of wood, together with adhesives to form a composite.
Painting on MDF: Safe Supports for Painting?
Learn how painting on MDF affects painting longevity, with guidance on sealing panels, managing moisture and emissions, and choosing safer supports.
Oil Painting on Wood: Selecting Wood, Protecting Grain, and Building Better Grounds
Oil painting on wood made simple: choose hardwood panels, seal end grain, and apply an oil ground for durable adhesion and moisture control.
Gesso Grounds and Chalk Grounds: Structure, Preparation, and Practice
Learn how to prepare traditional gesso grounds using historical materials and techniques. Ideal for oil, tempera, and gilding on rigid supports.
From the Ground Up: Painting Ground Lessons from 19th-Century and Modern Practice
Discover how 19th-century painting ground materials impact durability and technique—and what every artist should know about modern commercial ground…
Understanding Oil Paint Aging: Shrinkage and Cracking
Explore how oil paint ages and how to choose materials and supports to preserve your artwork over time. Essential insights for artists on paint behavi…
Understanding Support-Induced Discoloration in Acrylics
Learn how to manage support-induced discoloration (SID) in acrylics with our detailed guide on prevention and best practices for artists.
Enhancing Durability: Oil Painting on Plywood Techniques
Explore techniques and best practices for oil painting on plywood as a support. Ensure the longevity and stability of your artwork with our expert tip…