Page 2 - Supports
Painting supports are any material onto which paint is applied. Canvas, wood, and paper are common traditional painting supports, but the types of supports used for artwork are very extensive. Modern painting supports can include plastic, metal, and composite materials such as aluminum composite material or ACM.
Beginning with this installment, this series of articles discusses the technique of making icons in abundant detail, from obtaining the wood for the painting panel to putting on the final picture varnish or olifa of icons. A guide to wood properties and selecting the optimal wood for painting panels. This is the first in a series of articles on painting icons, beginning with selecting the panel, preparing it for painting, and the painting technique. Although this series of articles applies specifically to the preparation and painting of icons, it has a wider application for preparing solid wood panels for painting.
Part one on preparing wood panels for painting with the application of chalk grounds and fifth in our technical series on painting icons, this article discusses the history and materials used in the preparation of wood panels for tempera painting—size, pavoloka, and gesso — since the earliest period of Christian art until today. While the series specifically applies to making icon boards and preparing them for painting egg tempera icons, it has application to preparing wood panels for painting in any medium on chalk grounds.
Third, in our technical series on painting icons, this article discusses the different types of braces found in Russian icons since the 12th century and their use in icon panels from the past to today. This series of articles applies specifically to preparing and painting icon panels but has a broader application to preparing wood panels for painting.
Second, in our technical series on painting icons, this article discusses the technique of making joined icon panels from several boards in detail, from wood structure to joinery. Although this article applies specifically to icon boards, it has a broader application to making solid wood panels for painting.
Fourth in our technical series on painting icons, this article discusses the kovcheg or ark—a recess in the surface of Russian icons—since the 10th century and their use in icon panels from the past to today.
This traditional method of preparing canvas supports for oil painting uses rabbit skin size (animal collagen glue) and oil ground. Herein briefly is the process of preparing a picture canvas for oil painting.
The reverse side of the wood and stretched fabric (canvas) supports need protection from moisture and changes in relative humidity. A method described in a Canadian Conservation Institute Note and other conservation articles describes materials that artists can employ to protect their own work.
