Definition: An art panel is a rigid substrate sheet that serves as a stable support for fine art painting. Unlike canvas, which is flexible, art panels provide a solid and durable painting surface that resists warping and puncturing. The surface of an art panel is typically primed with gesso or another ground layer to prepare it for oil, acrylic, tempera, or mixed media applications.

Types of Art Panels

Hardboard Panels: Made from compressed wood fibers, providing a smooth and affordable painting surface.
Basswood Panels: Lightweight, fine-grained wood often used for professional-grade painting panels.
Cradled Panels: Art panels reinforced with a wooden framework (called a cradle) on the back to prevent warping and provide depth.
Canvas Panels: Rigid boards with canvas laminated to the surface, offering the texture of canvas with the firmness of a panel.
Aluminum Composite Panels: Rigid, lightweight, and archival supports (such as Dibond or Alupoly) sometimes used by contemporary artists.

Advantages of Art Panels

Durability: Panels resist sagging, stretching, and tearing compared to canvas.
Surface Stability: Provides a rigid, vibration-free surface ideal for fine detail work.
Archival Qualities: Properly prepared panels can last for centuries without degradation.
Versatility: Suitable for various media, including oils, acrylics, encaustic, and mixed media.

Disadvantages of Art Panels

Weight: Larger panels can be heavier than stretched canvas, making handling and transport more challenging.
Fragility: Though rigid, panels may chip or crack if mishandled, especially at the corners.
Limited Flexibility: Unlike canvas, panels cannot be rolled or easily resized once cut.

Historical Context

Art panels have a long history in fine art, predating the use of canvas in European painting. Many Renaissance masterpieces, including works by Leonardo da Vinci and Jan van Eyck, were painted on wooden panels. The shift to canvas gained popularity in the 16th century due to its portability, but panels remain valued for their stability and archival reliability.

Framing & Display

Cradle: A wood framework attached to the back of a panel to provide support and prevent warping.
Panel Floater Frame: A frame style designed to showcase cradled panels by giving the appearance that the artwork is "floating" within the frame.
Protection: Panels are often varnished or sealed to protect against environmental damage.

Common Misconceptions

"Panels are outdated." In fact, panels are still widely used by contemporary artists, especially for mixed media and archival-quality works.
"All panels are wood." Panels can be made from wood, hardboard, aluminum composite, or even synthetic archival materials.

Art Panel