An observation.
In the first year in art school, I bought Ampersand panels, dutifully gessoed them, and painted on them. Too scared to try anything else, I used only the first surface I was introduced to.
In second year of art school, I bought linen, cotton, more expensive wooden panels, thicker wooden panels, and just went nuts on surfaces. I said I was experimenting, but really, I couldn’t hold off on buying a new genre of art supply. Oh the joys of a sophomoric year!
Then in third year in art school, I cut up some cardboard boxes, gesso the heck out of them, and paint… because who has the money, the time or the space??
As I progress in my art training, the painting surfaces get cheaper, the brushes get better.
