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Sizing Hardboard
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Message
Posted
Two would be my preference Tom…
I don’t use RSG very often, but I wrote an article some time back now in The Artist, extolling the virtues of using it - in this instance I was looking at the work of Edward Seago who prepared his supports in this manner, (along with white lead) which I obviously had to substitute, and showing some of my own examples using his palette.
If you can be bothered with the extra work involved, it’s far superior than this modern acrylic gesso that most of us use nowadays!
Robert will no doubt have something to offer on this subject I’m sure!
Posted
If you happen to recall that name, Tom, it would be of interest.
On RSG - partly because of the difficulty of getting hold of lead, and partly because of RSG's reputation for cracking on stretched canvas - I have avoided it. But I'd go for two coats, if I were employing it. On the acrylic priming - I wish they wouldn't call it "gesso", because it isn't; but never mind - it can be horrible; rough, scratchy, unsympathetic. I used to buy oil primed panels, and they were beautiful to work on - the paint just glided on; but my then supplier went out of business, and while I expect you can still find such panels, I don't know where you'd get them: I did find one source of supply, but they only sold very small panels.
Sorry for the diversion. I have found the ACF panels and canvases a great deal more pleasant to work on than some; and I did enjoy working on Ampersand panels - I haven't used hardboard for some time, worrying rather about the formaldehyde (was it?) used in its preparation. But some of my stuff on hardboard, acrylic and oil, seems quite happy after 50 years or so: even granted that's just a blink in the eye in the life of a painting.
Posted
Robert, I agree entirely about acrylic “gesso”. Dry, scratchy muck, best left to the likes of David Hockney. Ampersand panels are very nice, but they ought to be considering the amounts you’re supposed to part with to obtain ‘em. I bought a full 8’x4’ sheet of ordinary untempered hardboard from Ingham-Illingworth, which is just down the road from me. They cut it up into smaller panels (12.5”x9.5”), did a very nice job. Worked out at £1.38 a panel. It’s a nice dark colour and hard, not like the stuff sold at B&Q, which is more like a McVitie’s biscuit. It’s supposed to be better than MDF—being a higher density—and prepared properly is quite archival. From what I’ve read, the fibres are held together by the natural lignins in the wood—no glue involved.
Here’s a nice small piece on hardboard (7.5”x9.5”), by Jacques Maroger, dated 1947—so pushing eighty now.
Posted
MDF is a more rigid board. Being of a lower density than hardboard one would imagine this not to be the case. The glue used must play quite a part in that. Also, it's not supposed to contain Formaldehyde any more. The couple of hardboard panels I've now sized do have a slight bend, but it's nothing that framing with a backing board won't cure. Have seen the Jackson's and Belle Arti panels. They do look very nice. But preparing one's own is half the fun.
Posted
They’re one of life’s mysteries Tom…
You’re currently classified as a Forum Member + at present. I think the boxes fill in when you post, and when you have a full house, you are elevated to the next level… as in Forum Expert!
When you reach the dizzy heights of Prestige User, the squares disappear - I believe that indicates that ‘you’ve arrived’…
Certainly not of any significance, but I think I have that correct, but it’s only an educated guess!
Posted
Alan is right - just bide your time, Tom, and you'll see the end of this little box and its squares. And when that time comes: you too will have joined the Magic Circle! Just think of the warm flush of triumph that will be your very own!
In other words, it's all about longevity - the longer you last here, the more kudos you acquire. And, well - that works fine for me...... One takes one's distinctions where one can find them. There are, after all, far too few of them.