PAINTING ON MASONITE VS CANVAS OR CANVAS PANELS
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Many have grown tired of or cannot afford expensive canvas. They may stretch their own, buy less expensive canvas panels that may warp over time. But many use masonite panels or birch plywood. Is one better than the other? Not necessarily, it is up to you. Masonite and birch must be prepared if you choose to use them.
Masonite can be readily purchased at home improvement stores. It comes in two thicknesses, 1/8" and 1/4" and the stores can cut it into many sizes and pieces for you. Most charge a nominal fee for cutting. Artists normally choose 1/4" to prevent warping, but it can get heavy in a larger size. Also you absolutely must coat it with several coats of gesso or primer! Another suggestion is to build a support frame for the back of it, called cradling. If you do use masonite, be sure to coat it on ALL sides with primer or gesso to prevent warping! The same is true of…
Many have grown tired of or cannot afford expensive canvas. They may stretch their own, buy less expensive canvas panels that may warp over time. But many use masonite panels or birch plywood. Is one better than the other? Not necessarily, it is up to you. Masonite and birch must be prepared if you choose to use them.
Masonite can be readily purchased at home improvement stores. It comes in two thicknesses, 1/8" and 1/4" and the stores can cut it into many sizes and pieces for you. Most charge a nominal fee for cutting. Artists normally choose 1/4" to prevent warping, but it can get heavy in a larger size. Also you absolutely must coat it with several coats of gesso or primer! Another suggestion is to build a support frame for the back of it, called cradling. If you do use masonite, be sure to coat it on ALL sides with primer or gesso to prevent warping! The same is true of…
