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How to Prepare an Oil Painting Ground for a Masonite Wood Panel

Masonite provides a smooth surface for painting and is an inexpensive alternative to framed canvas. It can be easily trimmed into shapes using a scroll or saber saw. Because it has a porous surface, it needs preparation before being painted. Most Masonite has a dark brown color that will bleed through the colors of the painting if not corrected with a layer of base paint. The primer may bead off the Masonite's's smooth surface if it is not correctly prepared.

Things You'll Need

  • Saw (saber or scroll)
  • Fine sandpaper
  • Gesso
  • 3-inch-wide brush
  • Tint
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut the Masonite board to the desired size and shape using a saber saw or scroll saw.

    • 2

      Lightly sand the edges and the smooth front surface to give it a good "tooth" for holding onto the primer.

    • 3

      Brush the surface horizontally with gesso. Gesso is a polymer compound used to seal, or prime, surfaces before painting. Allow the initial gesso coat to dry.

    • 4

      Lightly sand the dry gesso. Paint the board with a fresh coat of gesso using vertical strokes, and allow this coat to dry.

    • 5

      Lightly sand the second gesso coat. Tint the gesso for the next layer using a color that will complement the painting you have planned. For example, if you are planning to paint a landscape, tint a portion of the gesso a light blue. Use this preparation to paint the upper part of the background using horizontal brush strokes. Tint another portion with just a hint of green, yellow or beige. Use it to cover the bottom half of the ground board, using horizontal strokes.

    • 6

      Lightly sand the final coat of gesso before applying oil paint. Use a fine sand paper. Avoid over-sanding, which might wear through to lower coats of gesso or even to the Masonite.

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Fine Art

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