Sharing about the Wood Panels

 These are Blick Wood panels, I found them a while back and have been using them and the other wood panels by Ampersand.  I like them like because of the completed look to them and people don't have to worry about a frame then can quickly hang it on the wall. (sad to say I bought out the stock on 8 x 8's got to wait till Jan 2014 for more, but they have a sale on them now)

As you can see the panel is taped with blue painters tape. I do that to protect my hand oils and other art materials from getting on the surface before I decide about the choice of color or if I should stain them or leave them natural.

I only bring the blue tape up to the top panel edge so that can be painted with the brown acrylics.  And as you can see I get a bit happy with it and make a mess done the side of the tape. Well that's why it's there. After the paint soaks in, I give the top and side edge two coats of Polymer medium.

 

I also give the collage that I created on the 140lb watercolor paper two coats of polymer medium on it's back side.  Be aware it may look like its curling up but it will be fine when you tack it down.

Using the Tack iron and a safety release sheet so it doesn't melt the collage papers with the layer of polymer on it I fuse them all to the surface.  I take my time as it's thicker then just doing it on the watercolor paper. 

Hope this helps answer the few questions I have had about it.   No reason why you can't just collage on the panel...I'm doing that with a large one from Ampersand I've just coated the surface with two coats of the polymer...Yes I've got the polymer jar strapped to the art utility belt I wear... all day.  When you buy it by the gallon you use it on everything...Oh when I finish pull the blue tape off and then I finish with Satin varnish on wood sides and top. You can give it two coats too...dries fast cause the first layer soaks in really quick like.