I used to buy panels from an art supply store. In the clearance rack, I found a 3-pack of them for something like $12. I thought it was such a great deal. Then, I watched a video you posted earlier about making your own panels. I hit the hardware store and bought a large sheet of MDF board. For $5 more, they cut it down to a bunch of 11" x 14" and 16" x 20" boards for me. I bought some primer and primed them that afternoon. I ended up with over 2 dozen boards and calculated the cost of each one to only 90 cents each. I love painting on them! Stefan, your ideas rock.
+Stefan Baumann Name your brand! If I ever make it out west, I'll get it in your hands. Or, if you ever visit the Detroit area, I'll fix you up with great Michigan beer!
you all prolly dont give a shit but does anybody know of a method to get back into an Instagram account? I somehow lost the login password. I love any help you can offer me
I appreciate the illustration of pixel size and canvas. Small canvas have same size pixel a large canvas. So logical! Now I can understand why I actually liked doing smaller paintings on board verses larger paintings on canvas. I have learned a lot from you. Thank you.
There's Low Density Fibreboard aka chipboard, Medium Density Fibreboard aka MDF, and High Density Fibreboard aka masonite. I studied cabinetmaking when I was younger. It really isn't hard to cut things to the right size, but I know from personal experience that a lot of people in those jobs just don't care.
Stefan, your patience with the questions and comments from your students, is nothing short of a superpower. Better man than I. Common sense, I am starting to think is being filtered out of the human race. ;)
a simpler option is to get your MDF boards cut at the hardware store, one where the guy working the saw knows how to make his measurements. Coat it with Acrylic Gesso, spray primer, or any primer you like, then seal that with Gamblin PVA size. Gamblin's PVA size is a synthetic version of Rabbit Skin Glue, and provides a lovely surface to paint on. Much like oil primed canvas, you can use a turp-soaked rag to wipe your paint away to get the pure white of the canvas back. Many Artists simply painted on canvas coated with only Rabbit Skin Glue, as the Lead based primers could take months to cure fully.
I believe each and every word that Stefan said. I went through it and did it until I switched to wood panels. Gesso is a pain and it is expensive. There are cheaper methods out there and that is what Stefan is teaching. Great information. Thank you.
IF I need to get hardboard at the big box store, I find a manager to cut the board for me, and tell him, it has to be precise, or it will go in his waste bin. They get it right then. They actually do not sell the "Masonite" brand any longer, it is now a different product, hardboard, and it is only single smooth sided. The "Chipboard" product is now free of oils in the glues they use, too. They stopped that sometime after the 80's. Masonite is really expensive nowadays, and it rare to find a carrier. I have only seen it at lumberyards these days, and you have to order it.
The other problem is canvas covered boards are problematic due to the glue leaching up thru the canvas when the glue is applied to adhere an already primed canvas. You end up painting on glue without realizing it.
I was just doing that flip and spray technique today. I was spraying retouch varnish. I use ampersand's hardboard and apply an oil primer. But would give the Masonite from the hardware store a try. I bet it's cheaper.
If anyone is interested, I tried the rustoleum trick then painted one panel with oil paint and another with acrylic. I absolutely love how the oil lays on the surface and it dries fast. The acrylic paint didn't lift off and seemed to do fine on the board, but I don't get along with acrylic paint so it looked like crap. LOL That was two weeks ago and the acrylic still looks the same.
It dries fast because the oil is being absorbed into the support. Acrylic is more porous compared to traditional sizing methods (rabbit skin glue). Rabbit skin glue is more efficient protective layer (size) against oil compared to acrylic. Each has its negatives and positives.
You saved me! You should see with with the gesso & sandpaper getting my canvases ready! Thank you so, so much! Your explanation about the smaller canvases/canvas boards and their texture distorting the subject, makes so much sense!
HELP - I'm a graphite portrait artist who desires to work on a safer, more archival surface and one I can permanently seal. Is there a hard board surface that one can do detailed graphite portraits on? If so, how then can I permanently seal the finished drawing so that it doesn't need to be framed under glass?
I am one of those underemployed, college educated, over qualified morons that has worked in a lumber yard/ hardware store and I love your videos! FYI: Many business will not allow employees to operate the saws anymore due to insurance issues. Thanks.
+Alena Freeman I too worked in a Lowes and worked the saw. problem is that again due to insurance co restrictions the operator can not see the place where the blade meets the material b/c of all of the safety equipment on that machine. Essentially you are cutting blind and cannot guarantee accuracy. if you are going to do it often enough, buy a circular saw, they are not expensive. just be careful.
What would you recommend doing large paintings on, like 4'x5' and larger? Is that to large for masonite board? I would love to try plywood, but dont want to deal with making a brace (for support.
I've been painting 20 years for a living.... I hate canvases. I love panel. Panel is more durable and more pleasant to paint on. Panel shows brush strokes much better than canvas. Canvas is floppy no matter how tight you stretch it and makes an annoying bouncy noise. Canvas is much more prone to crack the paint because it expands and. contracts. Moths eat canvas. Mold grows on canvas. You can't poke a hole in panel. Panels are easier to store and ship. Panel doesn't rip. The stretcher bars that most canvases are made with warp badly.
Stefan, Thank you as always! Just one question, do you see any benefit to adding an oil painting primer (such as Gamblin Oil Ground) over the Rustoleum (or even in lieu of? Thanks!!!
Hardboard or what was Masonite ... Tempered or Un-Tempored? Can I use Tempered IF I use Auto Body Primer and not worry about the Oils used in the Tempered Board? In my mind ... it seems like a match and solves a problem (the Gesso Problem)
There's Low Density Fibreboard aka chipboard, Medium Density Fibreboard aka MDF, and High Density Fibreboard aka masonite. But he was replying to a student about pinecone board, so I guess that's what he meant, that's chipboard.
Lumber Lady bugs me. The old talkative type that complains her kids never call her anymore. Retirement age, extra money floating around from their poorly advised reverse mortgage, think they should start painting. I mean I love that they support Stefan along with the rest of us. *_But the talkie talkie never stoppie._*
I used to buy panels from an art supply store. In the clearance rack, I found a 3-pack of them for something like $12. I thought it was such a great deal.
Then, I watched a video you posted earlier about making your own panels. I hit the hardware store and bought a large sheet of MDF board. For $5 more, they cut it down to a bunch of 11" x 14" and 16" x 20" boards for me. I bought some primer and primed them that afternoon. I ended up with over 2 dozen boards and calculated the cost of each one to only 90 cents each.
I love painting on them! Stefan, your ideas rock.
+AlonzoTheArmless Your so welcome, I guess you owe me a beer! LOL
+Stefan Baumann Name your brand! If I ever make it out west, I'll get it in your hands. Or, if you ever visit the Detroit area, I'll fix you up with great Michigan beer!
+AlonzoTheArmless Your on!
you all prolly dont give a shit but does anybody know of a method to get back into an Instagram account?
I somehow lost the login password. I love any help you can offer me
@Carlos Colton instablaster ;)
I appreciate the illustration of pixel size and canvas. Small canvas have same size pixel a large canvas. So logical! Now I can understand why I actually liked doing smaller paintings on board verses larger paintings on canvas. I have learned a lot from you. Thank you.
There's Low Density Fibreboard aka chipboard, Medium Density Fibreboard aka MDF, and High Density Fibreboard aka masonite. I studied cabinetmaking when I was younger. It really isn't hard to cut things to the right size, but I know from personal experience that a lot of people in those jobs just don't care.
Thank you so much for the money-saving tip! You're a patient and good-natured teacher.
your welcome
Just went out plein airing with Masonite primed with Rustoleum today. Worked very well. Thank you for the hint.
Stefan, your patience with the questions and comments from your students, is nothing short of a superpower. Better man than I. Common sense, I am starting to think is being filtered out of the human race. ;)
a simpler option is to get your MDF boards cut at the hardware store, one where the guy working the saw knows how to make his measurements. Coat it with Acrylic Gesso, spray primer, or any primer you like, then seal that with Gamblin PVA size. Gamblin's PVA size is a synthetic version of Rabbit Skin Glue, and provides a lovely surface to paint on. Much like oil primed canvas, you can use a turp-soaked rag to wipe your paint away to get the pure white of the canvas back. Many Artists simply painted on canvas coated with only Rabbit Skin Glue, as the Lead based primers could take months to cure fully.
I believe each and every word that Stefan said. I went through it and did it until I switched to wood panels. Gesso is a pain and it is expensive. There are cheaper methods out there and that is what Stefan is teaching. Great information. Thank you.
IF I need to get hardboard at the big box store, I find a manager to cut the board for me, and tell him, it has to be precise, or it will go in his waste bin. They get it right then. They actually do not sell the "Masonite" brand any longer, it is now a different product, hardboard, and it is only single smooth sided. The "Chipboard" product is now free of oils in the glues they use, too. They stopped that sometime after the 80's. Masonite is really expensive nowadays, and it rare to find a carrier. I have only seen it at lumberyards these days, and you have to order it.
As always the videos are wonderful! I am greatful for lessons taught and lessons and lessons learned! Marsha
The other problem is canvas covered boards are problematic due to the glue leaching up thru the canvas when the glue is applied to adhere an already primed canvas. You end up painting on glue without realizing it.
I was just doing that flip and spray technique today. I was spraying retouch varnish. I use ampersand's hardboard and apply an oil primer. But would give the Masonite from the hardware store a try. I bet it's cheaper.
+RedSoxKal It is cheaper. you learn something new everyday
Stefan, thank you for shareing so many insights and information about painting !!!
+Baldur Odinsson Anytime
Hi...i learn so much and your video so beautiful to watch...thanks for your work that sharing with us....good job...
Your so welcome
If anyone is interested, I tried the rustoleum trick then painted one panel with oil paint and another with acrylic. I absolutely love how the oil lays on the surface and it dries fast. The acrylic paint didn't lift off and seemed to do fine on the board, but I don't get along with acrylic paint so it looked like crap. LOL That was two weeks ago and the acrylic still looks the same.
It dries fast because the oil is being absorbed into the support. Acrylic is more porous compared to traditional sizing methods (rabbit skin glue). Rabbit skin glue is more efficient protective layer (size) against oil compared to acrylic. Each has its negatives and positives.
You saved me! You should see with with the gesso & sandpaper getting my canvases ready! Thank you so, so much!
Your explanation about the smaller canvases/canvas boards and their texture distorting the subject, makes so much sense!
Excellent tips. Thank you.
Is it ok to paint on a few layers of gesso on a stretched canvas and sand that down for a smoother surface?
Everlet t u still see the fabric through 😔
lol so I just bought a 10x14 Masterpiece linen canvas to try it out. For a portrait too! Oh well I still want to see what they are like.
+anne Pelton You will love the canvas and try the panels also
Thanks for the Rustoleum tip
HELP - I'm a graphite portrait artist who desires to work on a safer, more archival surface and one I can permanently seal. Is there a hard board surface that one can do detailed graphite portraits on? If so, how then can I permanently seal the finished drawing so that it doesn't need to be framed under glass?
Any thoughts on ACM panels and preps?
I am one of those underemployed, college educated, over qualified morons that has worked in a lumber yard/ hardware store and I love your videos! FYI: Many business will not allow employees to operate the saws anymore due to insurance issues. Thanks.
+Alena Freeman thanks for the information
+Alena Freeman I too worked in a Lowes and worked the saw. problem is that again due to insurance co restrictions the operator can not see the place where the blade meets the material b/c of all of the safety equipment on that machine. Essentially you are cutting blind and cannot guarantee accuracy. if you are going to do it often enough, buy a circular saw, they are not expensive. just be careful.
Is on paintings
What would you recommend doing large paintings on, like 4'x5' and larger? Is that to large for masonite board? I would love to try plywood, but dont want to deal with making a brace (for support.
Good tip mate.
How will you prime the panel for acrylic and oil painting?
Wow. Read the instructions on the freakin spray can and it specifically says how to clean the nozzle out like Stefan explained.
You can learn a lot from an old dude
You can buy ultra smooth stretched canvass.
Yea but why?
I've been painting 20 years for a living.... I hate canvases. I love panel. Panel is more durable and more pleasant to paint on. Panel shows brush strokes much better than canvas. Canvas is floppy no matter how tight you stretch it and makes an annoying bouncy noise. Canvas is much more prone to crack the paint because it expands and. contracts. Moths eat canvas. Mold grows on canvas. You can't poke a hole in panel. Panels are easier to store and ship. Panel doesn't rip. The stretcher bars that most canvases are made with warp badly.
I am having trouble finding untempered mdf. What is the diff between tempered and un?
Stefan, Thank you as always! Just one question, do you see any benefit to adding an oil painting primer (such as Gamblin Oil Ground) over the Rustoleum (or even in lieu of? Thanks!!!
paint right on the primer, does not need anything
Stefan Baumann Thank you! I have learned so much from you, Thank You for being such a generous resource!
New Rustoleum cans spray great.
Can you paint with acrylic over rustoleum?
I think it's safe to say this guy is not a fan of gesso😁
Well at least not what is used today for gesso.
Love your videos, very helpful :)
+Oscar Garces Glad you like them Merry Christmas
It has to have some tooth to it or forget it. I’ll stick with my gallery wrapped canvases .
Unsanded hardboard plus spray coats will provide enough tooth to paint on
Thanks
will rustolium work with acrylic paints as well as oils
Not if the rustolium is a oil based primer the acrylic would just peel off.
Hardboard or what was Masonite ... Tempered or Un-Tempored? Can I use Tempered IF I use Auto Body Primer and not worry about the Oils used in the Tempered Board?
In my mind ... it seems like a match and solves a problem (the Gesso Problem)
Your pateince is incredible, lol.
Smart..👍🏼
Wait. 7:45 "It's not masonic it's chipboard"...Huh?
There's Low Density Fibreboard aka chipboard, Medium Density Fibreboard aka MDF, and High Density Fibreboard aka masonite. But he was replying to a student about pinecone board, so I guess that's what he meant, that's chipboard.
thanks for the tips but the way he talked about the "idiots in the lumber industry" pissed me off.
Lumber Lady bugs me. The old talkative type that complains her kids never call her anymore. Retirement age, extra money floating around from their poorly advised reverse mortgage, think they should start painting. I mean I love that they support Stefan along with the rest of us. *_But the talkie talkie never stoppie._*
hahaha
terrible audio
Really Eric you get all this free advice and all you can do a bitch SHAME