I began this test because I was on the hunt for a new surface. For the past 8 years or so I’ve been using the same panel: Raphael Oil Primed Linen panels. They are what I learned on. They are cost effective pre-primed linen attached to a ply-wood panel that only come in standard sizes. Because the major grain is more visible in raking top down light (like in a gallery) light, I would purchase larger panels than I need and use a hand-held circular saw to cut them down to the size I need (with the grain going the up/down direction). Recently I felt that the quality of the panels was going downhill. There were strange stripes on the canvases after I toned it and I couldn’t get a straight answer from the company about what it was. Also, I would often receive damaged panels and have to get replacements.
Raphael oil primed linen panels have Belle Arti Linen adhered to them, so I am aware that this is the general canvas texture I am used to.
What I want
Pre-primed, custom sizes available, quality control, bonus points for a supplier who can identify what I mean by the “major grain” (I think this is the weft and warp, but I don’t know… all I know is it looks bumpy one way, and less bumpy 90 degrees from that.)
Metrics
Absorbency – this is the tendency to “hold onto” the paint or pigment. I like something in the middle. Too much and the paint just stops, too little and the paint can slip slide around.
Texture Amount – high texture means a greater distance between hills and valleys in the texture. I prefer middle to low texture. Totally smooth panels are not my vibe, since I want to use some of the texture to more easily replicate certain textures.
Solid statement with soft brush – “1” means it’s hard to make a solid statement and “10” means it’s easy to make a solid statement. This is crucial for the way I build form or do color studies.
Use with bristle brush – “1” means I don’t like how it acted. (Either I don’t reap the benefits of the organic hairs or the paint doesn’t come off the brush very well.) “10” means I like how the bristles act on the surface. Obviously these are not exact measurable quantities.
Videos
In each of the videos, each panel is shown:
- Under raking top-down lighting to show texture
- Paint test with commentary. My apologies for my super casual chit-chat but I thought I would end up doing a more formal voice over but I just don’t have time for all that.
| Panel and Video Link | Absorbency | Texture | Smooth | Bristle |
| Raphael Oil Primed Linen panel | Medium | Medium/Low | 8 | 6 |
| RayMar C13DP | Very low | high (organic, not eggshell) | 4 | 6 |
| RayMar L64C Trekell Quad primed | Medium | Very Low | 8 | 10 |
| Ray Mar L84C | Medium (slightly more than 64C) | Very Low | 8 | 9 |
| RayMar 58A oil paint paper | Very high | Medium, eggshell | 5 | 2 |
| Artefex 537 oil primed fine (BelleArte Linen) | medium | medium/low | 9 | 6 |
| Artefex 538 oil primed extra fine (BelleArti Linen) | medium/low | medium/low | 8 | 6 |
| Artefex 533 lead primed fine | medium/low | medium/high eggshell | 7 | 7 |
| Artefex 532 lead primed extra fine | medium/low | medium/high eggshell | 7 | 7 |
| Artefex 411 Lead Primed no canvas | medium/low | medium/high eggshell | 3 | 3 |
| Artefex 516 Acrylic Primed canvas (not linen) | medium/high | low | 7 | 7 |
| Artefex 450 Tempera Primed Panel | very high | low (weird divots) | 8 | 3 |
| Artefex 574 Acrylic primed linen extra fine | medium/high | medium | 4 | 6 |
| Artefex 535 Acrylic primed linen fine | medium/high | medium | 6 | 6 |
| New Traditions L280 | very low | medium/low | 8 | 8 |
| Trekell Lead primed | very low | very low | 5- very slick! | 6 |
Summary: I will likely be using Artefex 538 or RayMar L84C for custom sizes and Trekell’s quadruple primed linen for standard sizes.
Here are links to where you can purchase these panels. If you want me to add a test to this, just reach out and I can add it!
Trekell Panels (only come in standard sizes, but options for substrate and cool shapes available)
Artefex panels (standard and custom sizes available, custom made, special requests possible)
Raymar Panels (standard and custom sizes available, custom made, special requests possible)
Raphaels Oil Primed Linen Panels (standard sizes only)
New Traditions Art Panels (standard and custom sizes available, custom made, special requests possible)
Natalie Featherston
Holy shit this is amazing! Can’t wait to check these out at camp 🙂
Sarah Tappan
Wow – really helpful Julie — Thank you!
Michele Clamp
Hi Julie! Are these all on aluminum? I’ve been thinking of trying something similar for larger watercolors.
Julie
Hi Michele, yes the artefex is on alumacomp. The raymar has options for substrate too
Jeanean Martin
Thank you for this painstaking test. I have switched to panels after years of stretching my own canvas. I also have fallen in love with linen. I hate paying so much money for linen panels though and have started making my own. I began with rabbit skin glue when stretching canvas. Now, that is frowned on. I switched to Miracle Muck when I began making linen panels. I was advised by a conservator that Miracle Muck is not completely archival and that I should use a product made by Lineco Neutral ph adhesive. Then of course, there is the controversy over which substrate to use. so much back and forth. I have been very happy with the beautiful wooden panels made by Trekell. I treated them first with a sealer then applied the Claessen’s fine linen. I guess I will try the aluminum panels next as they seem to be superior. I appreciate your expertise and share in your quest for excellence in a product.
Pat Laurin
Thank you so much Julie for sharing your panel tests with us. I’ve painted on both Raymar and New Traditions and love them both. Although it’s costly, after painting on linen there is no other in my opinion. I will try some of the other’s on your list.