Trying something new can be both exciting and daunting. I am painting on a wood panel with oil paints. I have drawn on wood panels and painted with acrylic paints but never oil. Turns out it is significantly different than painting on canvas.
I like the idea of the texture of the wood showing through so I only painted one layer of gesso. I really should have done some research first because as I painted the first layer of oil paint, I noticed how quickly it was drying and that it wasn’t very smooth. Turns out, the recommendation is 2-3 layers of gesso or the oil paint may not adhere well.
Thankfully, I am not having that problem; however, the finish is different than I am used to. After several layers of paint, it is very matte and almost looks like velvet, which I like very much. I will definitely paint on wood again. In fact, I have three more painting already planned. Next time I will do the additional layers of gesso, because with all of the layers I have lost the woodgrain anyway, and hopefully I still get the velvety texture without having to worry if the paint will adhere to the wood or not.
One of these finished paintings will be donated to Art House Dallas for a fundraiser later this year. I don’t typically donate a lot of art; however, this is an organization that has added a great deal of value to my life; therefore, a donation seems fitting. Art House Dallas is a local non-profit that cultivates creativity for the common good through nurturing a creative community.
Community with other artists helps me keep going. They encourage me when I am lacking motivation or direction. They are a wealth of knowledge and help me talk through and work out issues. In addition, they are just great people and a lot of fun to be around.
If you are creative and do not have a community of fellow creatives that you participate in, I highly recommend that you join one. A good community can make a big difference. If you are local to Dallas, I recommend Art House Dallas. I would love to meet you!