Favorite panels and suppliers?

Terri Ficenec · 03-12-2005, 01:25 PM

I'm wanting to try out some archival panel supports rather than the stretched linen/canvas that I've been using up 'til now.

Have just ordered a couple of RealGesso Linen Panels and a couple of New Traditions Dibond Portrait Linen panels. Was wondering if anyone else who's tried these might share what your experience has been?

Also, please share if there is a different panel you would recommend...

Thanks!

Linda Brandon · 03-12-2005, 05:18 PM

Terri, you are in for a treat, if you like panels, that is.

I've used gessoed panels from realgesso and I love them. The linen/board samples I've seen look great to me, though I haven't done a painting on one yet.

I've tried the New Traditions linen panels bonded to Gatorfoam; I love them, too. When I use them I put masking tape along the Gatorfoam edge to keep paint from getting on the foam and looking messy. Gatorfoam panels are dentable and dingable so be careful. NT also makes linen/birch panels and linen/Dibond panels (aluminum), neither of which I've tried but I'd like to.

Both companies offer great service.

Here are the sites if anyone doesn't know about them:

www.realgesso.com

www.newtraditionsartpanels.com

Mary Sparrow · 03-12-2005, 05:58 PM

I have a question about these panels. Is the cradle necessary? I could see why really large ones may need it for support on the back but am not sure why smaller panels would need it at all.

I ordered a few various panels, I didn't get any of them cradled since there was such a difference in price and all I wanted at this point was to try them out. I did order one fairly large one, a 24 x 36 and I can see that it might have a tendency to bow a bit, but wouldn't that be taken care of once in a frame? Also, looking at the images of the cradled panels, how do you frame that?

Chris Saper · 03-12-2005, 08:20 PM

Mary,

I have used 24 x 36 NT panels without concern about bowing, They are mounted on 1/2" Gatorboard, so they are quite stiff and very lightweight.

However, if a panel mfr recommends cradling after a certain size, I would think there is good reason. Depending on how deep the cradle is, you can probably solve the depth problem with a frame that has a "back-'up" or 'extra depth" silhouette.

Terri Ficenec · 03-12-2005, 09:00 PM

Linda, I haven't painted on a panel in over 20 years... so am not sure if I'll like the feel of it or not! Guess I'm looking for a 'ready-to-paint' surface that is of consistent quality, archival, reasonably priced, and easy to frame. (Not to hard to please am I

) I just don't want to be spending time prepping canvases any more, or worrying about the canvas losing tautness or bouncing around once the painting is on it. Looking for something more stable.... I've ordered the Dibond panels from NT, but I'm curious about your comment regarding putting masking tape on the edges -- is the canvas not wrapped around the support?

Mary, there is a very large difference in price for the RealGesso cradles. I was also concerned about how heavy the ones with cradles might be...? On their website forum (here) , they recommend the cradling for the linen panels for anything larger than 16x20, to prevent cupping they say.... and they say that the cradling won't interfere with framing. Someone asked, here , wouldn't the frame serve as a cradle, and they responded, yes if it was properly framed.

I'm still a little apprehensive myself about ordering larger than the 16x20 because am thinking that must be very heavy with the cradles.... The samples I ordered (for both the realgesso and the New Traditions were 12x16... so didn't get into the cradling thing). If anyone has used the cradles would love to hear about your experience?

Chris - have you, or would you feel comfortable, using the gator board panels for commissioned work?

Chris Saper · 03-12-2005, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Chris - have you, or would you feel comfortable, using the gator board panels for commissioned work?

Over the past two+ years the ONLY panels I have used for commission work are the new traditions, and panels I have made mounting Wallis paper to Masonite.

Terri Ficenec · 03-12-2005, 09:37 PM

Thanks Chris-- that's a ringing endorsement!

Linda Brandon · 03-13-2005, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terri Ficenec

I've ordered the Dibond panels from NT, but I'm curious about your comment regarding putting masking tape on the edges -- is the canvas not wrapped around the support?

I don't know about the Dibond panels, but the Gatorfoam panels are not wrapped around the support; the linen is cut at the edge of the Gatorfoam.

I've had a few clients recently who prefer a "contemporary" gallery wrap style, that is, they don't plan to use a frame. New Traditions built a wonderful custom panel for me, with linen-wrapped edges and with a grid cradle on the back. I think the size was around 38" x 40". I had a cradled gesso realgesso board (similar to Kim's but not as large) where the grid is on the back but doesn't run along the edges. The owners put screws and wire along the grid for hanging and I think it looks very "arty" floating on the wall.

I wish I had taken photos of the backs of these to show you.

The problem with uncradled panels generally for me is a marketing issue: do you want to hand a flat thing to your client and send them away with it? If it is a standard size then you can pop it into a standard sized frame, at least to unveil the painting to them, with the possiblility of selling them the frame. If it isn't a standard size, then it gets a little trickier. Maybe one answer is just not to offer non-standard sizes unless you already have a frame available for it.

I always seem to have a million things going on at the same time and I keep vowing to make some rules about things like sizes to make my life easier, but ..... I don't.

Kimberly Dow · 03-13-2005, 04:44 PM

Terri- It wasnt that much heavier. I have had cheaper frames that were lightweight that I dont think would hold it well, but for all real wood frames it would be fine.