American Easel 8 Inch by 10 Inch by 1 5/8 Inch Deep Cradled Painting Panel

(This is the same review I posted for American Easel 5 Inch by 7 Inch by 7/8 Inch Deep Cradled Painting Panel, found here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00486U1NI?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s04 - and for the American Easel 6 Inch by 6 Inch by 1 5/8 Inch Deep Cradled Painting Panel here - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00486U1MY?ref_=cm_rdp_product. As these are the same products - just different sizes - nothing about my opinion changes. As for which size to choose, I tend to choose my substrates based on my comfort level with the size, unless I'm doing a commissioned piece that the collector has requested be a specific size. Go wild - order a couple of sizes. You might be surprised by the size you prefer.) :)I can't wait to create on these!! Seriously. CANNOT WAIT. I'm really glad I bought these in a couple of different sizes becauseI love everything about these birch panels - they are wonderfully smooth, a great weight, and an awesome depth (thickness). Birch paneling covers a poplar base, which is perfect. The hardness of wood is measured on a global scale that runs from one to five...poplar is about a 1, which makes it fairly soft. That makes it perfect for artwork. The cradles of these are made from a much stronger wood, poplar. Poplar measures around a 4 on that wood scale. Poplar can be tough to work with, depending on what you want to do with it. Both woods are inexpensive in the wood world, but birch is more of an "outside" wood, while poplar is more of an "inside" wood. What do I mean by that? Birch is a very pretty wood, lending itself to uses that will be seen, like the OUTSIDE of a project. Poplar, although similar in cost, is not very pretty - so it is primarily used on the INSIDE of projects. If you were building a dresser, the face of the dresser would be made from birch...the inner drawers would be made from poplar.So with the poplar making up the base of little beauties, you know this will be a strong support - but you also know it will accept your wet media well, since birch makes up the nice "face" of these. I got these after reading over Danielle Donaldson's "CreativeGIRL: Mixed Media Techniques for an Artful Life", seeing her amazing work, and dissecting her material list. I think these are going to be a fantastic change from a boring, old, tired canvas...and I can't wait to find out!!Bottom Line: If you are looking for a new substrate on which to create, especially one that is much sturdier than canvas, but doesn't weigh much more, HURRY and throw this in your cart. The wood is beautiful and I can't wait to make my next mixed media bombshell on one of these. These are totally like potato chips - you can't have just one. I am ordering more so I don't run out the next time my muse decides to make an appearance!Side Note: If you are looking for a fun, interesting, and informational mixed media book, check out Ms. Donaldson's "CreativeGIRL". In the knowledge area of the mixed media world, I would say I'm probably an 8.5 out of 10. I don't know "everything", but I've been involved in mixed media art before the term "mixed media" was known. I found "CreativeGIRL" to be full of great information. The pages are inspirational and makes you want to grab some supplies and get creating - which is just about the highest compliment I can give a creative book!

I bought this for my friend's wedding engraved photo. I sanded the surface little bit for better looking. It didn't make toxic smell with laser engraver. Overall I satisfied.

It would have been 5 stars cause I thought this panel would be smoothed down. Instead it's gritty and the wood quality is very good. Will order again when I run out of panels.SUGGESTION: Unless you like an unsmoothed surface, either sand it down a bit, to the point that no little splinters are sticking out. OR gesso it. You can use White gesso for a white background or if you want to keep the wooden look, use clear gesso.These little beauties are wonderful for my art projects.

This is well made and great to paint on or make a collage with. And the price is very competitive- definitely will purchase again!!

Great product. I use these panels for encaustics. It takes the wax very well. I have bought from American easel several times and have never been disappointed

Perfect for my project

I found that this was a perfect base for the mixed media mosaics class I took - glad I bought it.