Clayboard as support ?

[paintchristina]

Eyeing the clayboard on Dick Blick as a support for W/C, acrylic, ink multi-media paintings...
is anyone using this? How does it handle as a surface? what are it's limitations (other than not being able to crop it)

[Mary Woodul]

Hi Christina, I am no able to get clayboard here in Mexico so I have never used it, but there are people in Mixed Media who have, so I hope you will get your reply.

[Penny220]

I use clayboard and LOVE it! It's limitations are that it's expensive and can be accidentally scratched. Scratching on the other hand is what the clayboard is about. You can use both painting and scratchboard techniques with it. Upside, it's ready to go from the time you open it. It's durable, and won't bend or flex in the heat and humidity. It makes framing a bit more interesting as you have to find a deeper well frame but I've easily gotten past that problem too. Since I've rarely used scratching on the surface I'm going to be using gessoed masonite next. It's quite a bit cheaper and looks like it will work the same.

[paintchristina]

thanks Penny. Mostly I am looking for a surface for wet multi-media that does not have to be framed. Framing/matting so expensive

[Howard Metzenberg]

Thanks for mentioning us. There is more than just Claybord. Ampersand Art makes a variety of surfaces (Claybord, Claybord Textured, Claybord Black, Gessobord, Pastelbord) that can be used for different media or mixed media. And if you want to create a work that doesn't need framing, many of the basic Claybord surfaces are available cradled, with a both a narrow and a deep cradle available. The deep cradle is about two inches.

Claybord is so strong that I have been tempted to try standing in the center of one of the 24" x 30" deep cradled boxes to see if it can support me.

Howard Metzenberg
Dick Blick Art Materials
Highland Park, IL

[hamsterdance]

A big thumbs up for all the Ampersand panels. I've tried them all except for the unprimed bare boards. Smooth, Gessoboard, Pastelboard, Textureboard, Black and the original smooth.

I use the Gessoboard, Pastelboard and Textureboards the most mainly due to the media I use. I love using Textureboard for watercolor, Gessoboard for acrylics, casein and oil pastel and Pastelboard for soft and oil pastel. Next up is trying out oil paints, encaustic and egg tempera on Gessoboard or Textureboard.

Big drawback of course is their expense. And of course for the larger sizes I try to catch them when on sale. But hands down they are my favorite surface - more than paper, and more than canvas or linen.

[karen m]

I have used claybord....so far only with acrylics. But the surface is 'delicious'....velvety and claims to be good for almost all media, including wet.

Ampersand also sells a version of this which is 'cradled' which gives it some dimension that you might like if you are not intending to frame. I have not thoroughly checked this out, but as I recall the cradled stuff is a bit more expensive. Here's a page where you might go to look at the varieties available:

http://www.dickblick.com/vendors/ampersand/

[Penny220]

I will second the recommendation of ordering it from Dick Blick. Their prices are fantastic and because it's a popular item and they have so many customers they always have a fresh supply.

I have a friend who purchase a bad batch one time and he called the number given on the boards for Ampersand who promptly sent him replacement boards. It doesn't cover his lost artwork but it's nice to know that both companies stand behind the product.

[bluepersian]

Clayboard smooth is also great for egg tempera. It sure beats using rabbit skin glue and home made gesso on masonite.

[gaylemadeira]

If you prefer watercolor paper, on the Ampersand site there is an article showing how to attach watercolor paper to the Claybord, then when you're done painting, you can use fixative or varnish and you don't have to use glass when you frame. I'm in the middle of trying Claybord for watercolor, but I'm not really enjoying the lifting ability. I like to lift halfway, or just a tiny bit, and it seems to be all or nothing. Also when I put layers down on top of another layer, the bottom layer lifts off. I might figure it out though, but I'm also going to try the technique of putting the paper down on the Claybord. It's great to have new options for not having to frame behind glass!