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Roger Green

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Just started acquiring all the kit for mixed media and want an a3+ size drawing/painting board to fit on an easel. I want to be able to stretch paper so must be stable. There is many advertised but which one? Can anyone advise me where to go to buy one please. Advice appreciated. Thanks.

Alan Bickley

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Have a look on the Jackson’s Art website, there’s sure to be something suitable. I use a piece of MDF, not sure what thickness, possibly 6 mm… works fine for me!

Roger Green

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Have a look on the Jackson’s Art website, there’s sure to be something suitable. I use a piece of MDF, not sure what thickness, possibly 6 mm… works fine for me!
Alan Bickley on 10/01/2025 15:05:44 Thanks. I thought about MDF but heard it isn't completely water resistant so could delaminate when wet stretching paper.  Did you seal it first before use? Thanks anyway.

Alan Bickley

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I don’t stretch my paper these days, opting for 300lb Fabriano or Arches. But I have used MDF for stretching my thinner handmade Turner Blue and grey papers, I’ve never experienced any issues. No, I don’t seal it! This looks a decent board from Jackson’s, and under £20… different sizes available.

Edited
by Alan Bickley

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Robert Jones, Napa

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I have the good fortune - in this respect at least - of a landlord who used to work restoring furniture; so he has various bits of board and wood available, and he found a stout piece of plywood for me, which isn't very absorbent, and I didn't seal it.  I also have a thinner piece of plywood for smaller pieces, which consists of the lid of a crate in which a wine consignment arrived - I doubt that it'll have a long life, but it's OK for the time being; and I didn't seal that, either.   A bought drawing board is a nice thing to have, but there are plenty of alternatives: the well-known bought product is the Ken Bromley stretcher, which is really useful only for thinner papers, say up to 140lb.  It's not a drawing board as such, but may meet your requirements.     https://www.artsupplies.co.uk/p/perfect-paper-stretcher

stephen weight

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Havn't posted for a while but always lurking here ......just in case it helps someone , MDF wont delaminate , but years ago when \i started using MDF for furniture , I experimented and found that when a piece of 15mm MDF was dropped in a water butt and left for a week , it didn't delaminate but it swelled up in thickness only , whereas chipboard for example would disintegrate and plywood would delaminate . If using MDF always seal both sides and the edges .  Steve
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, Napa

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This is why I don't like MDF-based boards: for reasons I won't bore you with, my flat can get wet - well,uncapped chimney is the problem - and a couple of MDF boards got damp at the edges, and swelled as Steve describes.  Finding alternative surfaces is a constant search - haven't found the ideal one yet.  It wouldn't be plywood, certainly: as a drawing board, even for watercolour paintings, it's fine though - it's a thick piece, used in building and furniture construction, and anyway I don't get it soaking wet.  
Waddesdon Grotesque

Andrew Roles

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I use 15mm MDF unsealed , and I use old fashioned brown paper tape to hold the paper. I wipe the surface with a damp sponge before use, but never soak it. I have never had an issue with it swelling or delaminating but I make sure I clean off tape residue and let it dry flat after use. 

Sylvia Evans

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Trot along o you local building suppliers and they will cut you a piece of MDF any size you wish…… Happily stretch paper on it , tape paper onto it.   Gesso it and paint onto it

Edited
by Sylvia Evans