The Mona Lisa is painted on Poplar wood. Wood as a base for painting has been popular with the Renaissance artists.
Wood, especially distressed wood is absorbent. Shivani does not prime the wood choosing to keep it untreated. Instead of priming, to paint effectively on distressed wood, she pours a thick coat of colour on the entire panel. Absorbtion is high. Thie thickness of paint allows the colour to stay strong and it also delays drying allowing the artist time to complete the painting.
When semi dry, colours are blended in using either a pallet knife, or any sharp object such as twigs, and nails. the paint is then left to dry further. The surface is scratched or smoothened further as appropriate.
