The ÉTUDE Wooden Panels  are purpose-built for experimentation, preparatory studies, and smaller finished works. Designed to offer the same material integrity as our museum-grade panels at a more accessible price point, the ÉTUDE range provides artists with a reliable, professional surface for daily practice and development.
 
Named after the French étude—meaning “study”—these panels are intended for artists refining technique, testing compositions, and exploring new ideas without compromising on material quality.
 
Museum Grade Materials
Each ÉTUDE panel is manufactured using the same materials found in our museum grade range. The painting surface is PEFC and FSC-certified poplar plywood, selected for its light weight, fine grain, and pale ivory tone. Approximately 40% lighter than birch plywood, poplar provides excellent dimensional stability while remaining easy to handle and transport. Its naturally smooth surface makes it particularly well suited to painting and mixed media applications.
 
The subframe is constructed from birch plywood, chosen for its superior strength, rigidity, and resistance to warping. This combination of poplar face and birch structural support ensures a panel that is both lightweight and structurally robust.
 
Workshop Precision
Every panel is hand fabricated by our team of technicians in our Kent workshop. Panels are sanded to a 120-grit finish, creating a subtly textured surface that readily accepts primers and grounds. They are supplied unfilled, allowing artists to prepare the surface according to their own working methods.
 
By omitting the filling stage, we reduce production time while retaining the same museum grade materials and construction standards. This streamlined process enables us to offer the ÉTUDE range at a more accessible price point, passing the cost savings directly to the artist without compromising on quality.
 
Each panel is cold-pressed for 24 hours under consistent hydraulic pressure to ensure optimal adhesion and long-term flatness. Precision cutting guarantees clean edges and accurate dimensions across all formats.
 
Proudly produced in Britain, the ÉTUDE panels reflect our commitment to craftsmanship, durability, and professional standards, and are manufactured in accordance with the Made in Britain trademark of quality and provenance.
 
Priming
Our Economy Gesso Priming service provides a practical, ready-to-paint surface while maintaining the integrity of the ÉTUDE panel beneath. A Golden Acrylic gesso is applied to create a consistent, lightly absorbent ground that promotes strong paint adhesion and an even working surface.
 
This option is a cost-effective and ideal solution for artists working in acrylic or oil who require a dependable primed surface without undertaking the preparation process themselves.
 
GAC 100 sealing is available as a preparatory treatment for artists seeking enhanced substrate protection. Applied directly to the wood surface, GAC 100 acts as a barrier layer, helping to reduce the risk of Support Induced Discolouration (SID) and limiting the migration of impurities from the timber into paint films.
 
This clear acrylic polymer sealer improves adhesion and stabilises the surface prior to priming, making it particularly suitable for oil painters who wish to retain a natural wood aesthetic while ensuring proper sealing and long-term stability.
 
We apply GAC 100 to every panel before we apply gesso.