The Blank Canvas
Creating a support for oil painting is an art in and of itself, with many steps that happen before the first brushstrokes.
Making a combination panel blends the advantages of both wood panel and textile canvas into the ultimate surface for oil painting. I documented the process with a YouTube video, which covers all the details from materials to step-by-step instructions.
A combination panel is a braced, birch plywood board with a linen textile canvas adhered to the front. I then add my own version of a Rembrandt-esque double-ground - incorporating ordinary beach sand into the first ground layers. The concept is inspired by the work of Ernst van de Wetering and in particular, his book Rembrandt: The Painter At Work which discusses the now famous quartz-sand and lead white ground Rembrandt used on his painting supports. In my video I feature a multitude of products, tools and materials used to make my panel, most of which can be found at either Home Depot or from Rublev Colors.
I created my combination panel in a custom size to fit this antique gilded wood and plaster frame I purchased and restored with Toronto Art Restoration It’s made in Paris, most likely in the late 19th century, but that’s about all I know it. If you have any guesses or information on the maker or artist who it may be made for, I’d love to know more!
Back of the antique gilded frame with old markings and labels.
Frame makers label on the back of the gilded frame.
Before Restoration
After Restoration
