- Masonite, which is sold in sheets like plywood, is a popular surface used to make creative and artistic paintings. The sheathing, which is made from fiber, sawdust and glue can be cut to size with a circular saw to any shape or dimension that you desire. Non-tempered Masonite is preferred.
- Birch veneer is glued to a plywood backing that displays the paint and brushwork in a beautiful way, thus making this material an ideal work surface. Purchase birch veneer plywood that is 3/4 inches in thickness.
- Other plywoods make a good and economical surface for a painting, but they will require more prep time to get the surface of the wood ready for the project. Always purchase interior grade plywood, and, unless you are painting a small area, you will probably need 3/4-inch-thick pieces.
- In earlier centuries many religious icons were painted on wooden boards or panels. For large images the surface was made from several planks joined tightly together. Today you can paint on one wide board or build a "canvas" from several boards fit tightly together. To do this you will need good woodworking skills as well as access to fine-grained woods such as poplar, cherry or beech.
- Bare wood needs to be sanded and primed before an actual painting can begin. Gesso is the preferred material for priming canvas, and it can be used to prime bare wood also.
- Art supply suppliers sell many types of wood panels already coated with an acrylic gesso. These panels are often made from particle board or composition board.
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