WOOD PANEL OPTION
with Leslie
There is another optional surface to paint on and that is wood panel. When we paint themes from Talisman or icons of The Great Mother that originally were painted on wood, there is a feeling akin to following the footsteps of the great master artists. The thought that we are incorporating a substrate from a tree, a living being, energetically connects us to our materials. It is such a fulfilling process, to paint on wood. It also has a wonderful textural feeling to it.
When I start a new painting, I now actually make a decision…
Does this painting theme elicit wood or canvas?
Wood panel can be purchased at fine art supply stores, but prices can run quite high. There are a few methods of creating wooden canvases, but I will be focusing on materials that you can purchase on your own from The Home Depot or Lowes Home Stores.
I have priced out wood panel from the Utrecht’s warehouse sales, and larger canvas from Michael’s craft store. Even armed with my iphone coupons, buying the wood board at the Home Stores is by far the least expensive way to go. Though it does take additional time and additional simple carpentry skills, there is nothing like painting on a wood surface. It is certainly something every artist should try at least once.
Where to find it…
In the contractor’s aisle, you can find wood panels in 4’ x 8’ sheets. It seems that every season they slightly change the names of these materials, as well as pricing. Sometimes the panels have been listed as Birch Hardwood Ply or Cabinet Grade Wood, or Sand Ply.
You want to look for one with a smooth, unmarred surface. Yes, this is a plywood product- looking at the thin sides, you can see the board sandwiched together. If you have an opportunity to buy pure wood, all the more power to you! (They do not sell this at these home stores, but may be located by a traditional custom furniture maker who cuts and cures the wood for years.)
My suggestion is to purchase the ½” board. Any thinner, and the board will have the opportunity to warp. Many of my works, when not being shown, lean next to each other, and you do not want any warp). Any thicker, and it can be very heavy when the edging is constructed. This can be almost too heavy to lift as well. Do not let the sales people veer you to a cheap ply that has ‘eye’ shapes. (I remember holding a picture of one of my Red Madonna paintings and affirming... 'This has to last for hundred, and hundreds of YEARS!' I got some semblance of approval and understanding with a nod of the head by the sales help.
Cutting the panel.
You can opt to cut this panel in 3 or 4 pieces. Home Depot can do this for you. In my neck of the woods, it is free. Other stores may charge a small fee to cut. You have the option of cutting it in three or four sections. (I have even cut one of the thirds in half for two smaller ;canvas') Your choice, based on the assignment at hand.
Make SURE that they are cutting the board on the proper side. The good side faces out!
Ask them to measure it carefully and to take their time cutting it. They may not be perfectly exact. If you ask them, you make them a little more mindful as they cut. Go late in the evening if you can, not on a busy Spring Saturday, and you will have their full attention.
The next material you need is 1” x 2” Premium pine wood strips. (These strips are actually ¾” x 1 ¾” in size, but labeled as 1” x 2”) These are used to create ‘museum edging’ and are attached from the back but appear as an edging around the sides of the board. They sell them in 8’ ft. and 10’ ft. sizes. Sometimes they are already primed, and this is a time saver. Check out each strip, holding them out length-wise, and eyeing them to make sure that each one observed, is not warped.
You will also need #8 x 1 flat head- Phillips wood screws (if you are using the half inch wood panels, if you go thinner, the screws MUST be shorter or it will screw through and mar the front surface of your board!), gorilla wood glue, sand paper, or sand paper block, and wood filler. You will also need a method to cut the wood strips with a circular saw and attached them with screw gun, or drill.
Once you have your materials home, you can sand the edges of the cut wood panels, and lightly smooth out the surface of the board with the sand paper block. Now you need to cut down the wooden strips. I have not gotten fancy, no mitered edges, just a straightforward cut.
Two longer cuts for the longer length 48” and, and two shorter cuts that fit on the inside of the longer strips, Measure your materials to be sure, for yourself, based on the sized cut of your boards.
Ready to assemble.
Use a strong wood glue, gorilla glue and apply pilot holes with a 1/8” drill bit, to the wide side of the first long cut strip. Apply to the back surface of the board and then drill in the screws, one at a time, about four screws on the long side, approximately 11’ inches apart.
You want to make perfectly sure, that the screws are not longer than both of those boards! (so that you do not mar the front surface of your ‘canvas’). Do the opposite long side next. Then measure the space in between for the shorter lengths to fit in between. Cut to fit.
Add glue, to the backs, and drill in three screws approx. 10” apart. You may want to add some wood filler in the cracks between the edging strips, or on the sides, where the plywood has hollowed.
Fill any minor dents on the surface, and sand down to finish. One you have your panel ready to go, lightly brush off any sawdust with a rag, and admire the work.
(My husband loves to help me with this... after insisting on certain criteria, he likes to go into Home Depot and muck-ity muck with the Home Depot sales dudes and know it all when it comes to making these painting panels... braggin' that the wife wants quality of 'cabinet grade' only. If you only knew how much arguing it took to let him know, that I would not be painting my 'Ladies' on compostable homosote or cheap wallboard!
Next step is to gesso or prime your surface. Classic white gesso can be used, or even (a latex primer) Using a large paintbrush, apply the first coat. Let it dry completely, and apply a second coat. Sometimes, I have applied even a third, if I detect any streaking. The wood super soaks up the primer thirstily.
You can even be ambitious, and add the eye screws to the inside of the wood strips, and add heavy hanging wire, strong enough to hold the weight of the board on the wall. Not wire that could easily snap- read the labels. Most often, it is slated for the weight of a mirror.
Step back and smile… Well done!
There is something very satisfying when painting on wood. You will also have a sense of pride that you started from the foundation. Infusing your work with prayers and intentions, that are held lovingly in and on the wood surface.
Now, don’t hesitate to Dive IN and start painting!
Happy Painting to You All!
-Leslie
