If you want some texture, canvas is the way to go. So for me, I like texture to grab the paint, but not too much. I'll admit myself, smooth boards can be tricky! That being said, too much texture can take away from what you're trying to achieve. This is why many artists do not prefer to paint on smooth board or panels. Little to no texture will not pull paint off of your bristles and well as medium or coarse texture will. First, let's start with texture.ĭo you like a lot of texture or none at all? Or somewhere in between? The texture of your surface will determine how paint will transfer from your brush. If you like painting on panel, but want something more durable and with a bit more texture, I'll talk about that below in a second. I would highly recommend framing these and never hanging them with exposed corners. One major downside to gessobord, MSD panels, or other hardboards are that the corners are very prone to being dented and damaged if hit and as a result, they can and will chip if you're not careful. Painting on hard panel is still a great option if you find that it works best for you, just keep that in mind and be careful with them.

Plain hardbord comes unprimed, so they'll need a layer or two of gesso Because of that, if you wish to try painting straight on a panel, I would go with a gessobord which comes primed and ready to paint. Hardbord is completely smooth and many love it for it's ability to allow for precise detail. Over time, stretched canvas can lose its rigidity and become loose on its frame, which can be bad if you are hoping to avoid any type of physical wear or cracking. Hardbord is excellent because unlike stretched canvas, it cannot be poked and doesn't flex nearly as much. If you’re wanting to start a profession in art and want your paintings to last decades to come, choosing a surface that will stand the test of time is key. One of the first things to consider when choosing a surface to create your masterpiece on is longevity and archivalness.

Paint canvas