Do you paint (artworks) on wood board?

Question

If so, do you prep the surface with gesso or do you just go at it?

I ask because I would like to paint some large abstract works.

Answer 1

Most of the time, you paint on large canvas boards which you gesso and then paint on, however, if you prefer wood boards, if you use gesso it would be ok to use oil paint or acrylic paint. If you use another primer besides gesso, then very likely you might consider either water based enamels or oil based enamels. Either can be purchased at a paint store like Lowe's or wal-mart in the paint section.

Answer 2

You can do either.

If you're using acrylics, you can just go for it.

If you're using oils, you should gesso, as the oils will soak into the wood.

Answer 3

I mostly prep the wood, but not always. I have used watercolor on wood (prepped with absorbent ground or primer), colored pencil on wood (prepped with acrylic ground for pastel or sometimes not prepped), and I have used acrylic on wood (prepped with primer or absorbent ground or sometimes not prepped). I often tint the primer or ground I use.

Answer 4

art has no rules nor limits

except in school......... because they dont understand