Every work of art on wood begins long before the first brushstroke. Preparing a quality wood base is an art in itself, requiring patience and precision. Let me share with you the fascinating process of transforming raw wood into the perfect base for your artistic vision.
Choosing the right material
It all starts with choosing the right wood. Sometimes it’s a carefully selected tree trunk, other times it’s a donated branch or a hefty heap from friends. Wood can be cut in two ways – along the grain to create rectangular boards, or crosswise to get circular or oval shapes.
The secret to perfect drying
The key step is drying. To prevent the wood from cracking and to keep it stable, we need to reduce its moisture content below 10%. We have two ways to choose: natural and artificial. With natural drying, we place the wood in a shaded but well-ventilated area. For those who need to speed up the process, there is the option of artificial drying – larger pieces in the dryer, smaller ones in the microwave.
Adjustment and calibration process
However, the work doesn’t stop after drying. The boards often need levelling, as deformations can occur as they dry. The thickness of the boards then needs to be adjusted by calibrating the other side. The final, but no less important, stage is sanding.
The art of grinding
When sanding, we systematically use three types of sandpaper. We start with the coarser 80 grit, continue with the medium 120 grit and finish with the fine 240 grit. Interestingly, when working with plywood, a single sanding with 240 grit paper is sufficient.
This lengthy process may sound difficult, but the result is worth it. Only properly prepared wood will allow you to create a work of art that will last for generations. Remember, a quality base is half the success of any work of art.
Discover our products
If you are interested in the process of preparing wood for painting, we would like to invite you to take a tour of our products. In our offer you will find a wide range of already prepared wooden bases of different sizes and shapes, ready for immediate use.
Please do not hesitate to contact us for more information or individual requirements. Our team of experts is here to help you choose the most suitable material for your art projects. Get in touch with us today and start creating on perfectly prepared wood!
