| BIRCH WOOD CRADLED PANELS FOR ART PROJECTS |
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Wood is a great art material that can be used for a wide variety of projects. At KeenART Media, we offer raised plywood "cradled panels" - so called for the wooden frame affixed to the back - ideal for painting, sculpture, relief artwork, mounting, and much more. We also supply pre-cut birch plywood sheets for every imaginable use.
The following article outlines the many uses of these wood boards, as well as how they are constructed and how to prepare them for projects.
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Wood panels in two depths
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Front and back of two wood panels |
1-5/8", 15/16" cradled panels and 1/8" Birch Plywood Sheets |
Back view: large panels have a reinforced frame |
SUMMARY
| CRADLED PANEL CONSTRUCTION |
PREPPING FOR PAINTING |
USES FOR WOODEN PANELS |
BIRCH PLYWOOD SHEETS |
| 1/8" thick birch plywood is securely adhered to 13/16" or 1-1/2" deep birch wood frames to create a rigid, stretched canvas-like art and craft board. |
After wiping and sanding the panel, layers of gesso are applied to prepare the wood and ensure it does not absorb the paint. |
- Dry Mounting
- Painting
- Collages
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- Sculpture Bases
- Home Decor
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Thin, 1/8" birch plywood offers a lighter, slimmer option that can be used for many of the same purposes as birch wood panels. Unlike the panels, no frame is affixed to the back. |
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To Order Custom-size Birch Wood Cradled Panels: Click here
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To Order Stocked Size Birch Wood Cradled Panels: Click here
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| CRADLE PANEL CONSTRUCTION
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Birch is a type of deciduous hardwood tree that is part of the same family as hazel and alder. It is commonly used for wood veneers, furniture, and firewood. Birch plywood is often used for skateboards and model airplanes.
Our quality wood cradled panels are constructed by affixing birch plywood to a solid wooden base frame. The plywood is made up thin layers of birchwood pressed together with alternating grain direction for greater strength, while the birch frame is mitered at a 45° angle and fit to the exact size of the sheet.
These panels go by many names in the arts and crafts world, including wood panels, painting panels, craft boards, artist panels, or art panels. These terms will be used interchangably throughout this article. Regardless of what they are called, this useful art product is generally constructed in a similar way:
The 1/8" thick plywood is joined to the frame with a strong adhesive, eliminating the need for staples, nails, or any other attachments that would mar the smooth, flat surface of the panel. The panels are available with two different frame depths:
- 1/8" plywood surface and 1" depth
- 1/8" plywood surface and 1-5/8" depth.
Both panel styles come in many pre-cut sizes, individually wrapped for extra protection.
Because the face of the panel is made from real birch plywood, the natural grain is visible on each and every panel, making them all beautifully unique.
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Wood panels in two depths
Back of cradled panels, two depths
!-5/8" and 15/16" deep
Wood panel size comparison, 1-5/8", 15/16" and birch surface 1/8"
Birch surface closeup, 1/8"
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| PREPPING PANELS FOR PAINTING
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Painting on wood is a great alternative to canvas. Not only will the result have an entirely different texture, but painting/craft panels are often less expensive than stretched canvas.
If you will be painting directly onto the birch wood cradled panels, some prepping will be necessary.
- Wipe down panel (the face, and the sides if you plan to paint them) with a damp cloth. This raises the grain and makes the surface easier to sand.
- Sand down the surface with a fine grain sandpaper (120 grit), and then with a superfine grain (220 grit). This will allow the paint to better stick to the surface of the board.
- At this point, you may want to "size" the board. This is done by applying an acrylic medium or glue to the surface, completely sealing the wood and ensuring moisture from the back of the piece cannot damaged the painted side.
- Next, you will want to apply gesso to the panel face (and the sides if painting them as well). Make sure you select the type of gesso that is intended for the type of paint you are using.
If you require an opaque white base (no visible grain), you may want to prime the wood first. This will cut down on the layers of gesso required. In applying gesso, you also have the option to create a smooth or textured base.
- If you want a smooth base, sand the gessoed surface once it has dried.
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Wood panels can be prepped for painting
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| USES FOR CRADLED PANELS
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There are many uses for this versatile art product.
DRY MOUNTING PRINTS
The solid surface of a wood art panel is the ideal substrate for mounting fine art and photographic prints. As long as your print has not been laminated, we can affix nearly any printed material to the surface, using the Dry Mounting technique.
Once the print has been mounted to the wood panel, it can be coated with resin for a stunning, high-shine finish. Resin results in a look similar to 50 coats of varnish, and gives your print a three dimensional effect. For more information, visit our Resin Coating service page, or our article all about Resin Coating.
PAINTING
Once you have primed your wood canvas - as outlined above - there is no limit to the type of art you can design. Use textured medium to create depth, or stick to stains to preserve the natural grain of the wood. Use oils, acrylics, or test out watercolors and see what you can create.
Because wood cradled panels are less costly than canvas, they can be used to create the multi-panel wall hanging you always considered outside your budget. Hang three 16x24" painted panels above the couch, or create a grid from twelve 6x6" pieces in three rows.
Have an open, empty space above the stairs you have never filled because of the cost of large canvas? A 36x48" cradled panel can cost as little as 1/3 the price of a stretched canvas of the same size!
Because the birch plywood is thin, wood panels are only slightly heavier than canvas, and can easily be hung with a sawtooth hanger or wire, or have a keyhole drilled in the back. Visit our online store to purchase hanging hardware.
COLLAGE
The rigid surface of a cradled panel makes it a great option for creating collage art, which can get heavy with glues, textured mediums, and the application of various papers and other materials.
RELIEF SCULPTURE
Because plywood is such a rigid surface, you can add a lot more weight to a wood artist's panel than to a regular artist's canvas. This means you can feel free to build plaster-based reliefs onto the flat wood surface. Such projects will require stronger hanging hardware, but can result in a beautiful piece indistinguishable from canvas, but more secure.
FRAMING
Any of the above art projects can be framed in one of our simple, modern Canvas Floater Frames. Choose a simple black, white, or natural wood border, or a thicker, sloped or tapered edge. With plenty of mouldings to choose from, you're bound to find one that will suit your unique cradled panel art.
SCULPTURE BASE
Forget about hanging your panel on the wall! Birchwood panels are an excellent base for displaying sculptural works. Paint the base and build the sculpture directly onto the panel, or create a simple riser for an existing display. The two different depths we offer (15/16" and 1-5/8") provide staggered heights, and multiple panels can be stacked for more variation.
If you prefer your bases to be a matching, solid color, follow the instructions for prepping the boards above, and paint each one black, white, or another color that complements your decor.
Deep cradled panels are an inexpensive and attractive option for displaying three dimensional art, and can be purchased in any size you may require. Sculptures can be fixed to the base using regular wood hardware and adhesives, or straps can be strung through drilled holes to keep your artwork secure.
FURNITURE
A square, 24x24" wood cradled panel could make a great side table. Simply drill holes for legs, or set an appropriately sized panel over an existing table or base - the open back within the frame will keep the new tabletop from falling off. Once you've fitted your new piece of furniture, you can paint the surface of the panel just like you would to hang it on the wall, and apply a clear, protective coat to keep it good as new!
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Uncoated print dry mounted on a cradled panel
Add resin to a mounted print for high shine
Paintings look beautiful on cradled panels
Resin-coated cradled panel in a floater frame
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| BIRCH PLYWOOD BOARDS
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At KeenART Media, we also offer 1/8" thick, birch plywood boards in various sizes. These boards are essentially the surface of the cradled panels, without the attached frame, though they are a bit thicker for added strength. Order a specific size to create a unique, ultra-thin artwork, or further cut the sheet for shaped wall hangings, outdoor pieces, or countless other projects.
If you intend to hang your plywood art on the wall, we can supply you with plastic tab hangers or float-mount frames that can be adhered to the back of the piece for easy wall display. Birch plywood is also rigid enough to hold up to heavier mounted items such as relief sculptures or collage.
Much like cradled panels, fine art and photographic prints can be dry mounted to birch plywood boards, and laminated or resin-coated for extra shine and protection. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination!
Birch plywood boards can be ordered from our Art Supply Store online!
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Birch plywood sheets
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| ORDERING PANELS AND BOARDS ONLINE
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It's easy to get exactly the size and style of cradled panel you need for all your art projects with our quick, online order form. We offer free shipping for orders over $149, so stock up now to save!
BIRCHWOOD PANELS
Simply visit the Wood Panels section of our art supply page, select the depth of panel, and then enter the quantity of each size you need. Scroll to the bottom and add your selections to your cart!
BIRCH PLYWOOD BOARDS
Browse our selection of pre-cut sizes in the Birch Plywood Boards section of our online art supply, and enter the number of boards you need in each size. Then just scroll to th bottom, click "Add To Cart," and keep on shopping or go to the checkout page!
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Order cradled panels and plywood online
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Wood is an excellent alternative to canvas when you require a more rigid or cost-efficient painting surface, but it is handy for a wide range of other art and home decor projects as well.
If you have any questions about the birchwood cradled panels or plywood we offer, or any of our other products or services, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our knowledgeable staff are always happy to answer your enquiries and provide suggestions or advice.
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To Order Custom-size Birch Wood Cradled Panels: Click here
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To Order Stocked Size Birch Wood Cradled Panels: Click here
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