How I prepare my panels

In some of my trompe l’oeil paintings the sides of the panel are part of the painting. Here is an example:

When I incorporate the sides of the panel as part of the painting, some extra preparation is needed. I typically use Ampersand Gessobord (Museum Series) or Ampersand Hardbord (Museum Series) panels. The cradled Gessobord comes factory primed on the front but not on the sides., and the Hardbord is unprimed entirely. Whether I’m priming just the sides, just the front or both, I follow the same process.

Materials I use:

1. Panel

2. Liquitex Professional Gesso (white)

3. Paintbrush

4. Scott paper towels

5. Sandpaper (grit 220, 320, 400)

6. Sandpaper holder

My Gessoing Process:

• Step 1: I apply a thin and even layer of gesso, using a large flat brush, finishing with brushstrokes in one direction. Let it dry completely. For drying time, follow the instructions on the bottle.

• Step 2: Once the first layer is dry, I apply another thin layer of gesso, this time finishing with brushstrokes in the opposite direction. Let it dry.

• Step 3: Repeat this process with alternating brushstroke directions with each new layer, until there’s solid coverage. Always allow each layer to dry before applying the next.

• Step 4: After the final layer has dried, I sand the surface using 220-grit sandpaper. Depending on how smooth I want my surface, I’ll go over it again using 320 or even 400-grit sandpaper. The higher the grit number, the smoother the surface will be. I personally like the surface fairly smooth, but not completely. I don’t mind if there are faint brushstrokes that remain visible. Be especially careful sanding around the edges of the panel. If you sand too much, you can expose the wood beneath and you’ll need to apply gesso again.

• Step 5: Once I’m done sanding, I wipe away all dust with a clean paper towel.