| Farmers and gardeners know that the ground | | | | get painting! |
| they work determines the success of the crops | | | | TIP. Usually, the ground is smoothed with fine |
| they plant. No matter the quality of the seed | | | | sandpaper when perfectly dry but some artists |
| they sow, no matter their skill and dedication in | | | | dislike this finish. A fellow student once gave me |
| raising those plants, the crop will not reach its full | | | | an attractive alternative: Prime two panels at the |
| potential unless the ground is properly prepared. | | | | same time, stick the wet faces together and |
| So, it is a great pity that many artists neglect the | | | | immediately pull them apart. You're left with a |
| preparation of the ground for their paintings. That | | | | nicely random textured surface, which seems to |
| is the subject I ask you to think about today. | | | | have your painting started before you even pick |
| First, some definitions: | | | | up a brush. |
| 1. Ground refers to the primer (size, white lead or | | | | NOTE. The above tip applies only to experimental |
| acrylic) that is laid on a Support (stretched canvas | | | | studies. When you've found your own style and |
| or panel) for an oil or acrylic painting. This article | | | | are down to serious work, you won't want any |
| will, I'm sorry, apply only to those who paint with | | | | such distracting gimmicks. |
| oils or acrylics. Yet, those who paint with | | | | Standard Masonite sheets are 1/4 inch thick. Cut |
| watercolours, gouache or pastels will also be | | | | sizes larger than 24 inches will bend or warp of |
| aware of the need to choose and prepare their | | | | their own weight and should be braced at the |
| papers with care. | | | | back. Do this by using a resin or vinyl glue to |
| If you're just starting out on your own as an | | | | attach a frame of well-seasoned wooden strips to |
| artist, not yet ready to exhibit your work, you | | | | the outer edge. Large panels should also include |
| won't want to outlay the kind of money needed | | | | crossbars to help prevent warping. Use strong |
| for expertly prepared canvases. A popular | | | | clamps - not just weights - to keep the strips |
| alternative at this stage is to use panels of | | | | under pressure until the glue dries. A good coat of |
| compacted wallboard. Most beginners choose the | | | | primer on the back will also help prevent warping. |
| one called Masonite. It is important to buy the | | | | TIP. Please don't be tempted to use the back side |
| Standard type rather than the Tempered, which | | | | of the panel as your painting surface. Its texture |
| is impregnated with an oil that interferes badly | | | | is unpleasantly mechanical and does not compare |
| with the adhesion of your ground.These panels | | | | with the 'living' weave of a good canvas. It gives |
| need very careful preparation for even student | | | | your work an amateur look. There is something |
| works. They should never be used for paintings | | | | even worse, which I'll illustrate with a true story. |
| you intend to outlast you. To my mind, they're | | | | Many years ago, I bought a painting by a very |
| more trouble than they're worth. But many | | | | successful artist who used Masonite panels. He |
| beginners will be more concerned with | | | | later became a friend and invited me to his studio. |
| cost-savings, as I was myself at the early stages. | | | | There, I learned that he primed only one side - |
| So, here's how to make them as safe as possible. | | | | the back - and that this primer was household |
| After cutting the board to your desired size, rub | | | | undercoat. So I understood immediately when, |
| the smooth surface with fine sandpaper, which will | | | | just a few years later, his lovely work became |
| give it a 'tooth' so your primer and paint layers will | | | | distorted by a change of colour in all its white |
| adhere properly. You might also bevel the edges | | | | areas, to a brownish pink. He'd left the then-white |
| and round off the corners with coarse sandpaper | | | | undercoat unpainted in those areas, exposing |
| to help prevent splitting and chipping of the | | | | them to the inevitable attack by acid in the |
| ground. Then clean down with a cloth dipped in | | | | untreated board. |
| white spirits. When this had dried off, you can | | | | A surprising number of artists persist with these |
| apply your ground in a layer not less than 1/16 | | | | panels even after their careers are established. |
| inch thick This can be either true gesso (a | | | | The reason often given is that they dislike the |
| glue-chalk mixture) or an acrylic polymer primer | | | | 'bounce' of stretched canvas. But what a price to |
| (often labelled as 'Gesso' although it is nothing of | | | | pay for the lack of a little patience: the |
| the kind.) I recommend using it on Masonite, | | | | destruction, sooner or later, of your work, and of |
| however, as cooking up your own gesso can lead | | | | the trust of your collectors. |
| to uneven results even in experienced hands. It | | | | In my next article, I will be writing about the |
| also demands a high degree of workmanship and | | | | benefits of painting on canvas or linen. |
| attention to detail. All this when you just want to | | | | |