|
I have used masonite-like hard board for some years with no problems. I would urge that you use UNTEMPERED hardboard. In the old days, when real Masonite was still being made and sold, it came in a TEMPERED and an UNTEMPERED version. Tempered Masonite contained an oil finish for outdoor use. This hot oil finish could/would leach out and attack your painting. The untempered version had no oil treatment, and thus, left nothing behind to attack your materials.
Nowadays, I can't find Masonite, so I use "hardboard" from lumber yards, Menards, Lowes, and other places like these.
Unlike many who work hard to produce a glass-smooth painting surface, I tend to leave "tracks," bumps and bubbles in my surface. I sand the smooth surface of the panel to rough it and to produce a mechanical bond for the gesso, and then apply several coats of gesso in a rather sloppy, sketchy way. Sometimes, I apply the gesso with large palette knife, or I'll press balled-up Saran Wrap into the wet gesso in order to create some texture.
But, regardless of surface preparation, I have had no problems using these panels. The rough surface I leave behind tends to wear brushes a little faster than canvas, but for a quick, easy, and cheap working panel, you can't beat these for studies, as well as finished works. I feel that by buying 4X8 foot sheets and cutting my own panels, my "cost per working panel" is around 50 cents each. Compare that to the several dollars of a regular canvas, and it certainly makes economic sense to use them for studies, or other exploratory work.
|