A painting I created before I knew about sealing wood with GAC100 (now Gloss Medium), is starting to bow. The bowing is slight. The panel was pre-primed with acrylic gesso. I created the underpainting with acrylic paint mixed with matte medium, allowed it to dry for a week, then applied alla prima oils. This painting was varnished about 9 months after it was painted with a mix of satin and gloss Gamvar, (50% – 50%).
This painting was created in 2019 and has been displayed in a home with air conditioning and heat. There is humidity. The bowing has just begun and is slight. It’s hard to photograph, but I’m told it’s a bit more than I can even see in the photo.
As I know now that I should be sealing the panels (and probably not using pre-made panels so I can seal under the acrylic primer too), is there anything that can be done to this painting to make the wood settle back to normal?
Thank you! thanks
Hi,
Thank you for your responses so far. I’m attaching photos of both the type of panel I used: Da Vinci brand on “warp resistant sealed MDF” with a “kiln-dried New Zealand pine cradle” 24″ x 18″, and a side view of the bowing panel.
BowingPanel.jpeg
OilPaintingBowing.jpeg
I appreciate any additional advice you have with this new information.
Cheers.
One of the best ways to prevent warping is to treat the back of the panel in a similar manner as the front. I am not saying that they need to be exactly the same, just that having a similar humidity absorption/release on the front and back is preferable. This is one of those situations where it is best to not look back to the Old Masters. While certainly some did follow this ideal, many did not. Warping was very common on Old Master panel paintings, likely soon after they were executed.
I do have a couple of questions before attempting to respond to your specific question. What type of wooden panel are we talking about and is the panel framed and on the wall or leaning on a surface?
I guess you have received a photo from your client but did not post it here since I see no image in your post.
I really mean no offense in writing this but I can not discern any bowing in this this provided image. I am sure that it is there, but the image does not make that clear. Sorry. The attached image appears to show the displacement from the wall that is natural when using D-rings and other common hanging apparatus
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