The Natural Fiber Art Panel has an ultra-smooth surface with no wood grain. It is made using a process that combines pure wood from Douglas Fir trees with urethane binders, producing a painting panel that is double refined with no oils, resins or formaldehyde. The Natural Fiber Art Panel is 3/8" thick and formaldehyde free.

Art Boards™ Natural Fiber Art Panel is NOT tempered  masonite or tempered hardboard. Art Boards™ Natural Fiber wood artist panel is un-tempered and perfect for all painting mediums including encaustic, traditional egg tempera, oil paints, acrylic paints, gouache, air-brush, and more.

Art Boards™ natural fiber panel has a surface with just the right absorbency so that the first coat of gesso will penetrate slightly. This insures a good mechanical bond and a solid ground for the next coat of gesso. The gesso penetrating beyond the panel surface creates a reliable foundation for future layers of paint to bond with and stay adhered to. This is un like tempered masonite and tempered hardboard which has a brittle less absorbent hard surface.

The panel is also excellent for wood cuts. It's lack of wood grain allows it to be carved freely. Unlike solid wood, it can be easily cut in either direction with minimal resistance. And can be printed in a letterpress by placing the proper thickness board under the panel as a shim.