Hardboard:

Wood pulp fibers are formed into panels under extreme pressure and heat without additional binder.  These products can be susceptible to moisture. “Tempered” varieties have a small quantity of linseed oil added before pressing for greater durability and water resistance. High-quality hardboard can be one of the best and most economical substrates for fine art.

Wipe down the surface with a lint-free cloth dampened with isopropyl alcohol to remove dust or other contaminants before applying materials.

A ground or barrier coating is not required when working on hardboard with acrylics, oils, watercolors, or dry media.

When painting with an acrylic paint, medium, gesso, or ground, two or more initial coats of Gloss Medium can be applied to reduce Support Induced Discoloration (SID).

Any of our Gesso & Grounds, Gels & Pastes, and most of our Fluid Mediums can be applied to alter the absorbency, durability, or texture of the surface.

For watercolors, we typically recommend applying Gesso followed by one of our three QoR Watercolor Grounds for a bright white absorptive surface.

For dry media like PanPastel, we recommend applying a textured ground or paste for improved tooth.

Video: Support Induced Discoloration (SID)

Article: Understanding Wood Supports for Art a Brief History