Understanding the Medium: What is Oil on Panel?

What is oil on panel?

The Holy Family

The Holy Family, Raphael

Oil on panel is a traditional painting technique where pigments are mixed with a drying oil binder and applied to a rigid, flat wooden support. This substrate may consist of a single piece of wood or several pieces joined together to create a stable, durable surface for the artwork.

This method was the standard support for painting until canvas became more common in the 16th century. Historically, wood panels were used for various purposes, including mounting vellum paintings or serving as the primary support for Byzantine icons, some of which date from the 5th or 6th centuries and are located in Saint Catherine's Monastery.

Notable examples of this medium include:

• Epiphany by Hieronymus Bosch, a Northern Renaissance work.
• St. Augustine by Sandro Botticelli, executed during the Italian Renaissance.
• The Holy Family by Raphael, a common medium during the Renaissance period.

How does preparing a wooden panel differ from canvas?

Preparing a wooden panel requires sealing and priming the wood to create a barrier between the substrate and the paint. This process prevents the wood from absorbing moisture and prevents tannins from seeping into the paint layers, which can cause yellowing known as Support Induced Discoloration (SID).

The preparation process for a panel involves several specific steps to ensure the surface is ready for oil application:

• Cleaning and smoothing the top surface of the wood.
• Sizing the panel, often using rabbit skin glue, to prevent oils from leaking into the wood fibers.
• Applying a ground or primer, such as gesso, to create a smooth, ivory-like surface.

Unlike canvas, which is a flexible fabric stretched over a frame, a wooden panel is a rigid, non-flexible substrate. While canvas requires stretching to maintain tension, a panel provides an unyielding foundation that supports heavy applications of pigment and allows for greater control over the surface texture.

Advantages and disadvantages of using panel instead of canvas?

The primary advantage of oil on panel is its extreme smoothness and stability, which allows for high levels of detail and luminosity. However, the main disadvantage is that wood is susceptible to environmental changes, which can cause the material to warp or crack if humidity fluctuates.

When comparing the two mediums, the following technical differences exist:

• Detail: The rigid surface of a panel allows for more intricate compositions and finer detail than the texture of woven fabric.
• Weight: A wooden panel is generally heavier than a stretched canvas, which can make large-scale panels more cumbersome to move.
• Durability: Panels are more resistant to physical damage, such as holes, compared to the more delicate nature of canvas.

While canvas became the industry standard due to its portability and lightness, panel remains a preferred choice for artists seeking a permanent, sculptural quality. The density of the wood provides an architectural gravity that distinguishes it from the more ephemeral nature of fabric supports.