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Process

Wood surface preparation.
I like using wood panels for an oil painting surface. I prefer a smooth support with minimal texture. Also a panel withstands pressure applied by palette knives or rollers. I paint on MDF board which is available at most lumber stores - places like Home Depot. I now buy MDF board that has melamine on one side as it keeps the board more rigid, reduce warp age and prevents the need to put gesso or gac as a sealant on the back side. Get the panels trimmed out of a larger sheets (have the lumberyard cut this or someone who has a table saw). Click through the gallery of photos to read captions for the process of how I apply gesso to panel.
Cleaning Brushes & Keeping Bristles Unfrayed
Brushes won't last forever but some care keeps them in better shape, even when the brush ends start fraying. I use as little solvent as possible to clean my brushes. Instead I use walnut oil i have around that I use as a medium or mineral oil. Dipping in oil and wiping out the paint with a rag gets a lot of paint off the brush. Staining colors like phalo will need some solvent though...I use Gamsol. Next I wash the brushes using Murphys oil soap at the sink, dabbing the brush hairs in it then wetten a bit with water and sudsing the brush back and forth in my palm until I see no more color running out. Click through the gallery of photos below to read captions of how to keep errant bristles from drying frayed.

© COPYRIGHT 2025 KAREN JOSEPHSON. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
All images are the property of the artist and may not be used without written permission.
  • Home
  • Paintings
    • Soul Color Series
    • Vanishing Series
    • Into Blue series
    • Intersections series
    • Landscapes | Figurative Art
  • About
  • Contact