ABS Panel (Portrait of George)

Linda Brandon · 07-04-2003, 02:06 PM

I thought I would post the result of my first painting on an ABS panel.

Bill Whitaker introduced his class to the technique of making these panels at his April Scottsdale Artists School workshop, discussed at length elsewhere on this Forum. Several of us were intrigued by the idea and vowed to come up with a few panels (although Michael Georges said he was way ahead of us, having already made a few).

ABS is a form of sheet plastic available at speciality plastic companies. It comes in varying thicknesses; I used 1/4", although I would have used 1/16" if I could have found it locally. It compares in price to a sheet of Masonite. When sanded (with a rotary power sander) the surface becomes absorbent, with the look and feel of ivory (or perhaps a bar of white chocolate). I glued this sheet onto a 1/4" sheet of Masonite to make it more sturdy, though I probably didn't need to, given the thickness of my ABS.

I loved this surface though it took me a while to get used to how the paint behaved. The ABS is very absorbent and the paint "sits" differently on it than it does on linen. It also has a slightly 'dusty' surface appearance, which will possibly change after I varnish it. There are several layers of paint on the surface, since I put on a thin layer of Maroger over the section I wanted to work on each day (after scraping down the surface I worked on the day before) (Thank you, thank you, Bill Whitaker.... ).

Carl Toboika and I have been emailing about the archieval properties of ABS which I'll be happy to set forth here, if anyone is interested. By the way, this panel certainly meets the four foot high Drop Test.

Oil, 24" x 30"

Chris Saper · 07-04-2003, 02:47 PM

Linda,

First of all this is fantastic painting, it is definitely George! Beautiful design and original angle, too.

As I have been doing some wall painting lately, I am curious to know whether the ABS coupld be primed with a deglosser, the stuff that takes the slickness off of glossy paint to allow it accept new paint.

Could you post some extreme close-ups so we can see the surface texture?

Linda Brandon · 07-04-2003, 03:23 PM

Hi Chris,

I wouldn't prime with a deglosser. For one thing, you might have mysterious chemical adhesion problems, either with the ABS/primer bond or the primer/oil paint/medium/varnish bond. (Heck, this is all a mystery.)

Most importantly, though, it would affect absorbency. I just completed another little painting in which I used a sanded Masonite/Gambin Oil ground board, which had almost no absorbency. In fact, it seemed to almost repel the paint. I fought with that painting every step of the way; this ABS panel seemed to paint itself.

You are, like me, a big panel user, so I'll get one of these over to you to try.

Here's a closeup:

Enzie Shahmiri · 07-04-2003, 06:26 PM

Linda,

I have been using Gesso Board by Ampersand. It too has a very smooth surface and my understanding is that a fine porcelain coating is applied before it receives a coating of gesso.

I wonder if you have used it and can draw a comparison between it and the ABS Panel.

The benefits of panels over canvas seems to be the ease of transporting them. I also like the fact how I can create different textures or erase layers without apparent damage to the surface. With this African Lady I had a lot of fun just going at it and used an electric pencil sharper, sharp needle like instruments, my fingers, you name it.

I am interested to hear how the two compare.

William Whitaker · 07-04-2003, 07:25 PM

Linda,

First of all, let me congratulate you on a lovely painting. It

William Whitaker · 07-04-2003, 07:38 PM

I'm posting a picture of an 8" x 10" ABS panel glued to 3/8" plywood that I took at an angle to show how nicely it turns out. I then sanded the panel to suit my style.

I mounted the ABS to the plywood using a water based countertop contact cement I bought at a home store. I apply the cement to both surfaces with a disposable roller.

It is easy enough that even I can do it.

I'm going to try and mount it to gatorfoam board next. It will be much lighter in weight.

Unsanded ABS looks cheap - like plastic. It is slick and shiny, often full of tiny scratches, and often has tiny pits from the casting. Sanding makes the plastic look like the finest traditionally prepared gesso panel, only it is easier to do. Since there is no gesso involved, there is no possibility that the ground can chip. ABS itself does NOT chip. It is flexible, not brittle.

Bill

Linda Fried · 07-04-2003, 10:10 PM

Linda,

I don't know who George is, but I must say, your painting is fabulous. You really have captured a personality there. I love it.

Where (in AZ) will I find ABS material?

Thanks,
Linda

Michael Georges · 07-04-2003, 11:28 PM

Linda, this is just great! Very expressive hands. Isn't the ABS just a dream to paint on?

Michele Rushworth · 07-05-2003, 10:21 AM

Linda, what a terrific painting! I, too, love the hands. The color and light seems to be much more subdued than your usual work. Is this a new style for you that we'll be seeing more of?

Chuck Yokota · 07-05-2003, 12:52 PM

Linda Fried asked,

Quote:

Where (in AZ) will I find ABS material?

Ah, a question an engineer can answer! Look in your yellow pages under Plastics, Rods, Tubes, Sheets, etc. Supply Centers. I believe Laird Plastics, Port Plastics, and Professional Plastics are chains with locations in the Phoenix area. They stock 4ft x 8ft sheets, and will cut to size for you.