Hi Sue,

Working on board can be handy if you are trying to achieve a very highly photographic finish. Especially if you are not keen on the ‘weave of the canvas’ look. Also, if you are working small scale on the flat they can be easier to work with, you can change dimensions easily and are more cost effective. So there are a great deal of benefits if you work small scale. However, as you start to increase in scale the boards get heavier, you have to reinforce the rigid support by attaching batons to the reverse to prevent warping.
Sometimes if students are coming to painting from drawing they prefer the board because you don’t have the bounce of the canvas to content with. It really is personal taste.

1. How does the paint handle differently?
Canvas is more absorbent so you can apply more watery mixes of paint that will be soaked into the canvas surface. With commercially prepared canvas boards watery paint can pool on the surface and give a streaky finish. If you paint directly onto the white surface the paint will often slip around and not adhere to the board. But thicker paint will behave much the same. You can alter this absorbancy issue by adding a coat of acrylic Gesso (which contains calcium carbonate – chalk so is more absorbent)

2. Are they prone to warping?
Commercially prepared canvas boards – usually made with cotton duck canvas that is attached to a compressed pulp-board. Theses backings are prone to absorb moisture and may warp.
Homemade gesso boards – If you are preparing the boards yourself you won’t have many issues with warping if you prime all sides of the board. Back and front. And if using MDF (above 12mm) pay special attention to the edges which can be very absorbent. If they are not sealed it runs the risk of moisture entering the wood and expanding. MDF can be an effective alternative as it doesn’t crack like natural woods.

3. Is a work on canvas seen as of greater worth?
Usually an ‘oil on canvas’ does have a higher perceived value than ‘acrylic on board’ It shouldn’t, but it does. However, this is usually on larger scale works. There are some very expensive portrait paintings painted on board, due to the ability to get a very smooth finish.

4. What sort of implications does use of board/canvas have for framing?
Works on board are more flexible because they can be easily displayed behind mounts and then framed behind glass, or displayed like a traditional canvas with the paint surface exposed. Canvases can give more of a contemporary look when framed by being float mounted, so it gives the illusion of the canvas floating yet still having a frame around it to finish it. This sort of look is popular for the more contemporary pieces in the National portrait gallery.

Will

Hi Liyakath,
In this example I work on a pre-stretched canvas, so no stretching needed. You can work on a canvas board but often they are too slippy and non-absorbant (unless you make your own) a canvas allows you to use this more ‘scrubby method’ to create your painting.
Thanks,
Will

Hi Sharone,

The canvas size I use is 30 x 40 cm. If you go onto the ‘Getting started guide” you can read details there.

Thanks,

Will