Preparing a large wood panel for painting

Onerom1945

Q1 -  I want to paint a large wood panel  (7'-6" x 4'-0") . 
Would you attach the canvas over the panel, gesso and paint? 
OR
Would you give the wood panel (no canvas) an acrylic coating with gesso on top and paint?

Q2 -  I have seen artists hang large loose canvas on a wall. Finish a painting and then stretch the painted canvas over a frame when completed.  Would this not cause the paint on the canvas to crack?? 

BOB73

What is the surface like? Have you painted on a wood panel before? How thick is the panel? what kind of canvas will you use? will you be painting in oils?

BOB73

http://forum.drawmixpaint.com/discussion/6400/priming-oil-priming-acrylic-gesso-plaster-of-paris-traditional-gesso-rust-oleum-etc

BOB73

The link above takes you to a very lengthy discussion that answers questions about preparing any support for painting in oils.

dencal

Onerom1945

A wood panel of those dimensions will need to be well braced and sealed from moisture back and front.
Canvas may create a uniform surface but will introduce a texture that will need a lot of work with gesso and sandpaper. The panel with gesso should be a better option.

Yes canvas can be stretched after painting. The stretching effort needs to be adjusted to recognise the danger of cracking the paint by exceeding it’s elasticity.

Denis

Onerom1945

BOB73 and dencal,
The panel is a 3/16" thick plywood and sealed on the back side.
I will be painting in oil on a acrylic primed 10.5 oz cotton canvas.

After reviewing your kind responds I have chosen to put the canvas on the panel.
Thank you for your assistance and the Best of Holidays to you and yours. 
David

paultorrescom

I've heard that is not recommended to use wooden panels any larger than 30 by 40 in more or less because the larger they are the more tendency they have to worp , in addition they can get quite heavy at that size  it's much easier  and better on so many levels to just use streched canvas , so I wouldn't advise that sorry, I prepared for myself I wooden board that it was about 45 inch by 60 inches , about 20 years ago and then I made a support for the back with more wood and these days I can barely move it...