Today’s question comes from John :
John Writes:
“I used gamblin oil paints to paint over a clayboard (ampersand). Then later I realized that clayboard might not really be ideal for oils. Is that really so and what happens to the finished painting when painted over clayboard? Hope anyone can help.”
Do you have any information that might help John?
Please leave your response in the comments box below. Thanks!
I have used these clayboards in the past and I found them just fine…however the gesso they use in preparing them is very absorbent so much of the oil is sunken into the panel but once varnished it look great…I also like the smoother finish of the clayboards.
I tried to oil paint on clay board with the same results as John, It was very absorbent and had no gloss as oils do. My friend did an oil on clay bard and it was glossy and beautiful. Why not mine? (n0 varnish)
Another post on this same subject suggested first treating the clay board with two coats of Galkyd Med (let thoroughly dry before second layer). You can use another brand of alkyd med as well. After that the oils looked beautiful and glossy when painted.
As soon as I started an oil on clayboard….noticed the how fast the oil was absorbed….. let it dry…. going to scrape it off and gesso first. or just do a palette knife piece put on thickly.