Acrylic on Gesso bord
5 * 7 inches

This was the surface I thought I’d like the most and I saved it until last.

It didn’t feel too different from the Aquabord although it has an acrylic gesso ground rather than the aquabord’s clay surface.  I enjoyed this surface more than the finished painting would suggest (I struggled with those yellows!).

In conclusion, my favourite Ampersand surface is definitely the aquabord.  I will be buying a few more of the aquabord, gessobord and perhaps the scratchbord as I like that smooth India ink background.  I would also buy the canvas texture artists panel if it came in the flat profile.

Acrylic on Aqua Bord
5 * 7 inches

Oh wow!  The Aquabord is such a delight to paint on, I love this surface!

It’s a textured clay surface supposedly simulating the texture and absorbency of cold pressed watercolour paper.  Well I think I prefer it to paper and it doesn’t buckle!

Acrylic on Pastel Bord
5 * 7 inches

The pastel bord is coated with clay and gesso, and has a marble dust finish.  The texture is nice and I enjoyed painting on it although it feels very rough on the brushes.

Acrylic on Artists Panel
5 * 7 inches

I rather enjoyed painting on this surface.  Not too dissimilar to a normal canvas panel, it’s been primed to give a medium canvas texture.

I liked it enough to consider buying the panel in a larger size but it turns out, other than in sample packs, they only come in 9mm thickness or cradled.

Acrylic on Artists Panel
5 * 7 inches

I had initially thought this would be one of my favourites seeing as it’s marketed for all artists’ paints and I actually have a 16 * 20 inch version that I bought in anticipation of a pleasurable painting experience. 

But given what I now know of their smooth surfaces I decided I’d try this semi-absorbent surface next.

Yep, smooth and slippery, not looking forward to using that larger panel now!