Hardboard and Wood Painting Panels

Wood painting panels are an archival alternative to stretched canvas. Unlike stretched canvas, which is flexible, wood panels have a rigid and more stable painting surface. This makes them unlikely to warp, stretch, or sag over time when prope...

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Wood Painting Panels


Wood painting panels are an archival alternative to stretched canvas. Unlike stretched canvas, which is flexible, wood panels have a rigid and more stable painting surface. This makes them unlikely to warp, stretch, or sag over time when properly treated. They also have a smoother surface than canvas, making it ideal for achieving finer, more intricate details. Lastly, wood painting panels are versatile surfaces and accept a variety of media, including acrylics, tempera, encaustic, casein paints, oils, watercolors, and mixed media.


Types of Wood Panels

There are three main types of wood painting panels. Each is made from different wood materials that influence the board’s density and internal bond strength. The density refers to how tightly packed the wood fibers are and the internal bond strength refers to the adhesive bonds between the wood fibers within the panel. A higher density and stronger internal bond ensures more structural stability and less warping of the panel. Below is a breakdown of popular types of wood panels in order of highest to lowest density:

  • Hardwood is a natural wood surface derived from deciduous trees. Hardwood is generally denser than engineered wood products (Hardboard or MDF), but can still vary significantly by wood species. The three most common types of wood species are maple, birch, and basswood. Maple is the most dense followed by Birch. Basswood is the softest wood, making it the least dense and the most affordable option out of the three.
  • Hardboard or High-Density Fiberboard (HDF) is a type of engineered wood surface composed of wood fibers that are compressed and bonded with resin or other adhesives. It is a denser, more durable version of Medium-Density Fiberboard (MDF) with higher internal bond strength.
  • Medium-Density Fiberboard (MDF) is an engineered wood surface like High-Density Fiberboard (HDF), but is less dense and has a lower internal bond strength making it less stable than HDF. MDF is typically the most affordable option but is less durable than Hardboard or Hardwood panels.

Cradled vs Uncradled Wood Panels

The depth of the wood panel varies depending on whether the panel is cradled or not.


  • HardwoodCradled panels have a supporting frame or “cradle” built around the back. Incorporating a cradle makes the wood painting panel more sturdy and durable. The added level of depth with the cradle also allows the panel to stand alone without a traditional frame.
  • Uncradled wood panels are flat pieces of wood or composite material. They’re more economical than cradled panels but may need to be framed or reinforced to prevent warping. You can add a cradle to an uncradled wood panel by using wooden strips, wood glue, clamps, wood screws, wood filler, and sandpaper.

Painting on Wood Panels

Primed panels are ready to use, saving artists time and money. Unprimed panels offer more creative freedom for the artist but can absorb moisture which can then lead to warping or cracking. To prevent this from happening, they require additional preparation, such as sealing and priming, to ensure optimal results.


  • Sealing: To prep unprimed wood panels, you first need to sand the surface to create a smooth texture. Next, apply a wood sealer or acrylic medium, such as Golden GAC100, to seal porous surfaces and keep the wood from absorbing moisture.
  • Priming: After the surface is sealed, apply 2-4 coats of gesso, letting each coat dry fully between coats and lightly sanding between layers. This allows you to work on a uniform surface and ultimately improves paint adhesion as well as enhances paint coverage.
  • Compatible Mediums: Wood panels can accommodate acrylic, oil paint, watercolor (with ground), gouache, pastels, colored pencils, pen and ink, acrylic markers, encaustic, and mixed media.
  • Varnishing: Once you’re done with your painting, you’ll want to coat or varnish your wood panel to ensure its longevity. First, make sure your painting is fully dry and free of dust and debris. Then, use a brush-on or spray application of your preferred varnish (glossy, satin, or matte) to evenly coat your wood panel. Apply additional coats as needed.