Which illustration board for oils?

[Jazam]

Ok, I've tried to find some info on illustration boards and I think they might be the right thing for me.

I'm looking for a good board for first drawing a sketch with graphite pencil, then adding couple of layers of a transparent primer like acrylic medium and then painting the final work with oils.

What kind of boards do you guys use for this kind of work. Cold or hot pressed etc.

I cannot get illustration board in Finland where I live, so I'll order over the net. I've found some places selling Crescent boards with acceptable prices and shipping policies, which crescent's boards you think would suit my needs?

Other manufacturers will be fine also, this just came to my mind first.

[Elwell]

I love Strathmore illustration board, double weight, both the hot and cold pressed surfaces.

[Seedling]

I like a cold press surface, because it's more toothy, which helps me with the drawing. I haven't tried enough brands to be able to compare. I also prefer a thinner board, because once it has been pulled into a curve by the paint or medium or gesso, there's still some hope that I can squash the thing flat again under a stack of books.

FYI, never put a sheet of acetate, or any other smooth surface, over the top of a dried acrylic painting that you're planning to then stack weight onto. One of my favorite paintings now has little glossy spots all over it now because I had a sheet of acetate taped on top of it when I shoved it under the bed. Months later when I excavated it, I discovered what the weight of the art on top had done to it. ;-)