I received this email from one of our members the other day - hope it helps anyone that may have questions about preparing masonite to use as a painting ground:
At your suggestion I purchased some Masonite to use a canvas
Masonite is labor intensive – I use it because it’s cheap and I have enough time to prepare it – I prefer canvas because of the feel to the brush.
You suggest that I use a yellow color paint as a gesso over the Masonite
No – I said that’s what I do – it’s up to your style of painting and what kind of day it is – I try to use a bright yellow on a bright day and a dirty yellow on some not so bright days. Myrna uses kind of a magenta background, I’ve tried it and don’t much like it, but experiment – this isn’t a formulaic thing – make it up.
I assume you paint on the smooth side ?
Yes – but you have to paint both sides - first I sand the smooth side all over with some fine sandpaper so the paint will stick. Then I apply a coat of matt finish exterior latex house paint (remember I’m not a purist – I tend to use whatever I have available at the time to accomplish the task) – use gesso if you’ve got it or can afford it. Put on two or three coats sanding between coats (a jitterbug electric sander is a real asset here – but a sanding block will do). Put at least two coats on the rough side of the masonite, otherwise the board might bend if it’s a big one – you’ll notice all kinds of radical warping when you get to about 24” in any direction. End the painting side with a final light sanding.
Do you use a latex (water base) or oil base paint?
Acrylic latex exterior house paint – but you can use whatever you want – experiment – I use a fairly heavy napped house trim roller – no need to brush it on.
Do you have a problem with the paint sticking to the shinny Masonite surface?
See above preparation instructions.
You then use a oil base paint to paint with over the latex?
Yup, but if you’re an acrylic kind of guy, that works too.
Over time have you noticed on any of your painting - the oil paint cracking or chipping?
Hahahaha – try to sell them quickly – hahaha – no – I haven’t noticed any problems.
How do you get a latex paint to stick to a smooth surface and a oil paint to bond to a water base underlay paint?
It just does it!
Remember – try not to work any bigger then you think you can handle in a single session, but always push yourself to paint bigger – it’s a good way to stretch your limits.
aloha - richard
