painting on masonite??

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painting on masonite?? - 5/5/2009 2:20:18 PM

88heather

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I have only painted on stretched canvas.. I see other artists that paint on masonite panel.. I found some online to buy and am thinking of ordering some to try? What are the advantages to painting on masonite?? Do you find it easier than canvas? Just curious why someone would chose it over canvas? Is it easier to paint on? is it better for certain styles of painting? I'm assuming its super smooth so maybe realism painting would be easier on it?

thoughts? suggestions? or your 2 cents?

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RE: painting on masonite?? - 5/5/2009 2:45:14 PM

Robin47

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I know several people that paint on panels and they like it for fine detail because the surface doest move. Panels survive better, so I have heard. many of the oldest paintings are on panels. I am sure other People will have a lot to say that I don't know.

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RE: painting on masonite?? - 5/5/2009 2:53:59 PM

88heather

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I am really tempted to buy a few.. but maybe it would be better to first only buy one to paint on.. just in case I don't like it.. I'm just wondering how many of ya'll prefer it to canvas? or does it matter?

thanks Robin!.. Heide.. No.. Robin!

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RE: painting on masonite?? - 5/5/2009 3:00:56 PM

platypus

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I prefer masonite to canvas, I like being able to get fine detail. I personally can't stand working on regular canvas because I don't care for the texture (which is why I sold some of the canvases I had on hand). I've only found one brand of canvas that I like (it's Yes!) and it's wonderful, in some ways better than masonite.

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RE: painting on masonite?? - 5/5/2009 3:16:34 PM

labeana

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I love painting on panels....I prefer the super smooth surface with no "bounce" to it....but whether it's masonite or birch plywood, it's important to prepare it well....I put on five or six thinned down layers of gesso with sanding in between...it's a pain to do but if you do a bunch at once it's not so bad...and much better in the end than one thick layer....

the only thing I worry about with masonite is the fact that it can chip....of course plywood can too but it's not as apt to....I guess it's just a matter of personal preference....

Canvas is lighter though..... if you are doing large paintings it makes more sense

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RE: painting on masonite?? - 5/5/2009 3:17:04 PM

88heather

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Hmmm.. really.. Ok.. I'm gonna order one or two of these masonite panels.. just to test this out myself.. I find that since I began painting 3 years ago.. that I am wanting to get more and more detailed than when i first started.. so I think I will try the masonite.. I bet I do love them.. but I hope they don't make me hate canvas.. I got a ton of the fedrix gallery wrapped canvas..

I bought some dick blick canvas that are the 7/8's thick.. and a few I have opened aren't stretched well or have indents in them.. and I don't know how to fix it.. they didn't come with the little wood tabs to restretch..

thanks Vicky!

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RE: painting on masonite?? - 5/5/2009 3:43:34 PM

88heather

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any recommendations where to buy online?

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RE: painting on masonite?? - 5/5/2009 3:45:50 PM

88heather

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really 5 or 6 layers of gesso on the panel before painting?? is that typical?

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RE: painting on masonite?? - 5/5/2009 4:03:20 PM

almalee

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I have worked on Masonite for the same reasons listed above. Now I am working on MDF panel....a little more texture and absorbency to it. Something you may want to consider in shipping art on panels...it is more expensive because of the weight. Dick Blick sells multiple masonite panel already gessoed.

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RE: painting on masonite?? - 5/5/2009 5:24:36 PM

platypus

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Heather, just buy Ampersand gessoboard, which isn't that expensive & is always on sale at Jerrys/ASW/Dick Blick. If you're just going to test it out (i.e., only want one piece), your local art store may carry it (although generally the bigger chains like Michaels & AC Moore don't have that brand). DON'T get the really cheap stuff that they carry in Michaels, AC MOORE, Walmart, etc., it's WAY too smooth & slick & that in itself will cause you problems. With the gessoboard it's already primed & you don't need to gesso it further unless you want to. Unprimed masonite will need 5 or so coats (as Lauren said), but that's still preferable to the super slick kind (which I think has a pic. of Mona Lisa on the label, although there are other brands).

Another thing to keep in mind (that I almost forgot because I always work small) is that the larger sizes may warp. You can get cradled panels, which looks nice & prevents warping I think. The cradled panels are more expensive though.

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RE: painting on masonite?? - 5/5/2009 7:01:07 PM

88heather

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I was thinking the cradled panel b/c I want it ready to hang when done painting. Will look online tonight

thanks Vicky!

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RE: painting on masonite?? - 5/5/2009 7:03:57 PM

toucanne

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New juried artist Gwen Bell paints (beautifully) on gessoed masonite. Maybe you could ask her?

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RE: painting on masonite?? - 5/5/2009 7:11:16 PM

88heather

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oh cool.. I will look her up.. I'm just need to get back in my painting groove.. I have slacked BIG TIME .. when I paint.. I can start and finish a painting quickly.. then I have this big lag in between that I'm not painting and I just have a hard time getting back on the painting horse.. I just want to so bad be churning out work like those daily painters do.. but instead I have been distracted with my house, sick kids..etc

.. Got thinking about the masonite panel and wondered if it would be fun to try and get me re charged.

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RE: painting on masonite?? - 5/5/2009 9:14:05 PM

blumoo

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I haven't painted in eons but I loved painting on masonite and didn't mind the gesso/sand process. I loved the slidey texture. I just went to Home Depot or Lowe's and got them to cut one of the big sheets into various sizes for me.

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RE: painting on masonite?? - 5/5/2009 9:35:07 PM

eclecticelements

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Home Depot cuts 4x4 and 4x8 sheets to size for a small fee per cut. That way you won't have to pay shipping. Masonite is heavier than canvas.

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RE: painting on masonite?? - 5/5/2009 9:38:00 PM

platypus

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quote:

ORIGINAL: 88heather

oh cool.. I will look her up.. I'm just need to get back in my painting groove.. I have slacked BIG TIME .. when I paint.. I can start and finish a painting quickly.. then I have this big lag in between that I'm not painting and I just have a hard time getting back on the painting horse.. I just want to so bad be churning out work like those daily painters do.. but instead I have been distracted with my house, sick kids..etc.. Got thinking about the masonite panel and wondered if it would be fun to try and get me re charged.

I'm the exact same way, trying to get back on that horse myself!

quote:

ORIGINAL: blumoo

I haven't painted in eons but I loved painting on masonite and didn't mind the gesso/sand process. I loved the slidey texture. I just went to Home Depot or Lowe's and got them to cut one of the big sheets into various sizes for me.

I did that a few years ago, I had them cut it up into little pieces but then I started to feel bad for having them make so many cuts. For about $8 I think I got about a hundred pieces, most of which I haven't even used yet. I got mine at Jaeger Lumber (I don't know if they're a chain) but they cut for free, as long as they're not busy.

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RE: painting on masonite?? - 5/5/2009 9:57:15 PM

blumoo

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I didn't have to pay but that was several years ago. Considering they want business these days, it's a good bet it's free right now.

I still have a lot. They come in handy for other things, too.

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RE: painting on masonite?? - 5/5/2009 10:42:44 PM

88heather

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thanks for all the info!

Well Vicky.. I hope we can get on that horse together.. as I sit around and procrastinate.. I day dream about doing tons of paintings.. doing the different strokes challenge.. having a constant new painting auction going.. But I haven't been doing that.. I day dream about it.. now i just need to DO IT! It was easier to paint when I lived in Germany in a rental house that I didn't care about doing home projects too.. Ugggh.. I keep saying I need a swift kick in the rear.. and I know Moo and Alma are lined up to give me that kick to get busy!

I do have a still life set up downstairs to start!.. I should have a WIP going tomorrow!

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RE: painting on masonite?? - 5/5/2009 11:01:13 PM

platypus

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I forgot all about the different strokes challenge (again), is there a new one up yet? Maybe we could start a post for that here, to remind people who are interested in participating, showing our pieces here, etc. (kind of like the Nibblefest section). I'd volunteer but I keep forgetting about it myself.

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RE: painting on masonite?? - 5/5/2009 11:06:32 PM

88heather

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that's a good idea.. I would enjoy doing the different strokes thing b/c that would have me do other type paintings that aren't still life's and make me be more efficient.. I need to multi task better in my life..

I am impressed by how many artists do that different strokes challenge.. Wonder how many there are.. I know last time I went to that link.. i just kept on scrolling and scrolling and the entries were never ending!

Kari and Pat do that challenge.. I wonder who else here does the different strokes challenge?? i should paint my still life then paint that challenge! (then my Nibble piece). maybe I need a day planner where I can plan my painting schedule better.. I lose a lot of time on the computer!

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