HOW TO MAKE AN ARTIST PANEL WITH MDF AND GESSO

[@trideer01571]

Thank you for your reply. I appreciate your video

[@vickilynn9514]

Your paintings are marvellous! Thankyou for sharing

[@WimBals]

Glad you like them.

[@tomhighsmith]

First the preparation, then the magic. Nice video, thanks.

[@WimBals]

Thanks!

[@pierrebruwer4301]

Amazing video , one to revisit again and again , thanks Wim.

[@WimBals]

Thanks Pierre!

[@trideer01571]

Thank you for sharing. In interested in trying this with airbrushing. Would this type of panel work well for that type of application? I bought some white gesso, what is the reason for the colored gesso? Thanks in advance. Cool art too by the way.

[@WimBals]

Thanks, gesso is a universal primer, airbrush should also work I think. A neutral gray shade is easier for me to work with. That way I can go darker and lighter with the first layer.

[@astridtermaat3854]

Thanks for sharing!

[@WimBals]

No problem, glad you like it.

[@fogsmart]

Thank you for sharing your technique. As I have a shop and cut and prep all the panels for my spouse, I have a few questions if you are willing to answer. Thank you in advance. I’ve watched maybe 30 videos now on panel preference and preparation. There seems to be a prefered material for both oil and acrylic, namely hardboard panels. For archival quality, most artists stay away from mdf. I have a lot of it leftover in my shop. The ones who do use it all indicate using a sealing agent like GAC100 before Gesso application. This isn’t a criticism of your preparation. I’m just curious. My wife’s mentor even states that Baltic birch and Masonite hardboard should receive a sealing agent to stop SID. So any insight here would be nice.

[@WimBals]

Hi, I am using this technique over more than 30 years and never had any issues.

[@harvindersingh-nx4qb]

Sir, one thing I want to know that when we start oil painting on this kind of surface the oil colors slip on this surface and sometimes very difficult to handle. Is it a different technic ? I like smooth surface and I want to paint just like you sir...

[@WimBals]

Try using less painting medium and more oil paint. Also I don’t try to finish my painting in one layer.

[@jeffhildreth9244]

Excellent video. You mention 8 MM as a preferred thickness of the MDF. The panel you are demonstrating appears to be 11-12 mm which is quite heavy. Is there a reason ? Perhaps convenient? I like the Pig in the Fiat 500. Thank you from Oregon US

[@WimBals]

Hi, I use the 8mm version, even in this video.

[@jeffhildreth9244]

@@WimBals Thanks.

[@meaghanalexander4167]

Just curious how do you hang these on the wall? I paint on MDF panels and I have a few that I would like to hang, but unsure how. Any tips would be helpful 😁

[@WimBals]

I frame them in a 'floating frame'.

[@cosmicfxx]

Absolutely amazing and such beautiful work. How durable and lasting are paintings done on this MDF boards?

[@WimBals]

Thank you very much, I have paintings painted 30 years ago that are still impecable. As with all works of art, it is important that damp spaces and walls are avoided.

[@cosmicfxx]

@@WimBals thanks

[@gerriemathijssen8855]

Thank you for sharing! When painting on larger panels, do you also use the 8 mm MDF? Or do you use thicker panels or strenthen them on the back?

[@WimBals]

I also use the 8mm for my larger works. I mount these panels in a floating frame, which gives more stability in addition to the aesthetic.

[@gerriemathijssen8855]

@@WimBals Thank you!

[@David-fv7zg]

With all that moisture on one side, does the panel warp?

[@WimBals]

No not at all.

[@jessicasmith7907]

So I want to submit my drawings into a gallery, but I want to attach them to mdf panels using glue or something as an alternative to a frame. I’m wondering, is that considered a professional final product for a gallery or should I do something else. This video is very helpful btw thank you!

[@WimBals]

Hi Jessica, a lot depends on personal preference in the way of presenting your art. There is no right or wrong, just keep in mind that some glues can become quite aggressive over the years and can affect the paper. Asking a professional framer for advice would be my advice.

[@pierrebruwer4301]

Hi Wim , is hairdryer blowing hot air or room temperature ?

[@WimBals]

Hot air Pierre.

[@LloydM100]

I'm going to start mixing a small amount of black gesso into the white gesso for the last two coats, and maybe even adding a colour into the top coat.

[@WimBals]

That's a good idea.

[@harvindersingh-nx4qb]

Hello Sir, thank you for your reply. One more question Sir...The surface should be observant or non observant...for oil painting.

[@WimBals]

What do you mean by observant?

[@harvindersingh-nx4qb]

@@WimBals Hello Sir, I mean Sir the colours should stay or sits on the surface is good or colours into the surface I mean surface observe the colours..

[@WimBals]

The Gesso that I apply to the panel makes the surface suitable for oil paint so that the oil does not absorb completely into the mdf panel. The paint and colors stay perfectly on the Gesso layers. However, I must mention that it is important to use quality oil paint. You can still prepare your panel as well as possible, if you apply paint of insufficient quality, your end result will be insufficient. Some good oil paints are Talens, Schmincke, Blockx, Winsor & Newton.

[@harvindersingh-nx4qb]

@@WimBals Thankyou so much Sir for your reply. It helps me alot. Sir I bought Winsor and newton artist quality oil colours but they are very oily that's why I was facing the problems. I really like your videos and I want to improve my self.... just like you...

[@WimBals]

Good luck!

[@aishwaryaramesh509]

Hi, quick genuine question - why do you need to paint 3-4 layers of gesso before starting?

[@WimBals]

You get a smoother result with several thin layers compared to a thick layer. Cheers Wim

[@RL-js7nz]

How do you attach your mdf panel to your easel? I have a sheet of plywood as my backboard and I find the 1/4" mdf is too heavy for blue tack.

[@WimBals]

Hi, I have attached an L-profile to a panel with the painting on it.

[@RL-js7nz]

@@WimBals Thanks for your quick reply! Much appreciated but I don't understand L-profile? Is it bought or made? Wood, aluminum, plastic? Sorry I'm confused.

[@WimBals]

I use a plastic L-profile of 1 by 1 cm, glued to a wooden panel. My painting sits then on the L-profile.

[@jonron4729]

👍👍

[@garthok6224]

Why aren't you protecting the back against moisture?... I saw other guys using gac100, which is basically a transparent acrylic binder to seal the back

[@WimBals]

@ 7:30 I am telling I protect the back.

[@qiangli8498]

超现实主义画家，问一个愚蠢的问题：你为什么不用canvas而用mdf？8mm很厚，你说不用在背面刷gesso。那么薄一些要刷吗？担心变形

[@WimBals]

The back of the mdf panel I put acrylic lacquer to protect the mdf.

[@MsVerao]

@@WimBalsthis was a great demo!! By lacquer, do you mean varnish? Just one layer?

[@califmike2003]

Absolute complete Overkill you do not need that many coats of gesso

[@WimBals]

It keeps me busy 😁

[@hellooohowareudoing]

It's not overkill at all - some people seal the panel entirely with three coats of pure acrylic emulsion to make the panel waterproof before applying the gesso!