Save Money! Learn How to Gesso a Hardboard Panel for Painting

Painting on hardboard or Masonite panels is economic and produces great results for oil and acrylic painters. In this short video I teach you how to prepare a panel for painting. This is an easy process and only takes about ½ hour (at most!) from start to finish and will save you money.
Be sure and check out the added tips below this video…

Here are a few extra tips:

I usually make an assembly line and gesso a series of panels all at once.
Sometimes I use a hairdryer to speed up the drying process. Once dry, I can immediately begin to paint on the prepared panel and expect great results! Hardboard allows me a smooth surface for fine detail, glazes and texture. Most of my paintings are painted on hardboard!
To prevent warping of larger panels – gesso both sides.
For extra large boards over 30×40, I suggest ‘cradling’ the back of the board. Cradling makes the panels’ rigid using wood bars that are glued to the back of the panel. My custom framer does this for me.
Make sure you use at least 2 coats of gesso because hardboard/Masonite is highly absorbent and the paints will sink otherwise.
Use a tweezer to pick out any brush hairs, clumps or lint.
Sand and ‘knock-down’ the rough edges of the board to help conserve the life of your brushes!
Use un-tempered hardboard which will not yellow with age.