Ampersand Museum Series Claybord is made using 3mm true artist hardboard and features Ampersand’s simply amazing kaolin clay ground formula similar in paintability to the clay gesso grounds used during the Renaissance. The surface is sanded to an ultra-smooth, highly absorbent finish so your paint colours remain true and brilliant. Work the surface by thinly applying paint or ink, then remove it, reapply it, even scratch through it to add contrast, texture and fine details. Claybord is a favourite of both fine and graphic artists. Only Ampersand builds their cradles by hand with premium grade 13-ply birch plywood for maximum stability and a clean, finished look from edge to edge.

No other panel on the market protects an artist’s work like an Ampersand panel. Every Claybord panel is protected by our proprietary Archival-Seal barrier technology, the most advanced formula for sealing wood that prevents support induced discoloration. Only Ampersand uses true high-density hardboard made from US-grown renewable Aspen wood fibres. Claybord is archival, eco-friendly, formaldehyde-free and made by hand in the USA.

Apply paint and ink using brushes, sponges, palette knives, paper towels, airbrush, technical pens and painting tools. Claybord is also an excellent printing surface and can also be used for image transfers.

With Claybord, paints and inks can be manipulated to vary tonal value, create detail and to develop highlights and correct mistakes. Various artist tools can be used such as Ampersand scratchboard tools, hobby knives, razor blades, etching tools, sand paper, oil-free steel wool, and electric erasers. Claybord's clay coating allows for the use of sgraffito techniques to cut into the surface and re-expose the white clay ground. The coating is 7 to 10 dry-mils thick allowing for multiple cut-ins or erasers. The smooth finish and the absorbency of the clay ground allows the use of an abrasive like oil-free steel wool or sand paper to remove pigment without damaging the finish.

While Claybord allows the use of traditional materials, tools, and techniques, it is also an ideal surface for mixed media and experimentation. Details can be added, highlights created, and mistakes corrected.

Ampersand uses true high density hardboard made from US-grown renewable and FSC Certified Aspen wood fibers. Ampersand brand Hardbord is made without formaldehyde or harmful VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) unlike other hardboards and MDF boards. Both their domestic and imported panels are made from FSC certified forest products that promote sustainable forests.

Please note: These products have been finished with an industrial sander. If you are planning on doing a very thin glaze or wash, this may reveal usually imperceptible circular marks made by the sanding process. If you need an extremely smooth claybord surface, we suggest using a very fine sandpaper or oil-free steel wool prior to applying paint.

• Ultra-smooth absorbent clay ground
• Accepts more mediums than any other surface
• One of a kind workability with paints and artist tools

Many Fine Art Uses:

• Excellent for use with India, pigmented and alcohol inks
• Also use with egg tempera, acrylics, collage, pencil, pens, airbrush, photo-transfers, casein, watercolour, gouache and mixed media
• Bonds well with adhesives to mount paper and fabrics