Info Filled Icon
Katie Liddiard

How to Choose the Perfect Panel Substrate for Your Artwork

Katie Liddiard
Duration:   38  mins

Confused about which painting panel to use? Katie Liddiard has you covered! In this informative session, artist Katie Liddiard walks you through how to choose the best panel substrate for your artwork. Whether you're working in oil, acrylic, or mixed media, selecting the right surface can make a huge difference in your final results. Katie breaks down the four most common panel types—Baltic Birch, Aluminum Composite, MDF, and Foam Core—and compares their pros and cons, including sturdiness, weight, and how well they hold canvas. Download Katie’s free guide: "How to Choose the Perfect Panel Substrate" to keep in your studio as a handy reference. It's packed with substrate rankings, performance comparisons, and expert tips for choosing the right panel every time.

You’ll learn:
• Which panels work best for different types of paint
• How to prep your surface for optimal results
• What makes a substrate more durable or paint-friendly
• Why Katie recommends Baltic Birch for most of her professional work

Share tips, start a discussion or ask other students a question. If you have a question for an expert, please click here.

Make a comment:
characters remaining

2 Responses to “How to Choose the Perfect Panel Substrate for Your Artwork”

  1. Irene Hynes

    Thank you! Very interesting!

  2. Dallas

    I use aluminium for airbrushing. When using aluminium you have to rough the surface to give the paint something to adhere to. You have to thoroughly go over the complete surface with a scourer, a green kitchen scourer will work well. This takes the sheen off the aluminium.

Get exclusive premium content! Sign up for a membership now!