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.
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.
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.
