5 Things You Should Know Before You Choose a Canvas

But first, what is canvas? 

Usually found wrapped around a wooden frame and hung up on a wall, canvas is a very popular surface artists paint on. But what is it exactly? Canvas material for painting is fabric made up of either cotton threads, or linen, all woven together for either a coarse or smooth texture. Linen is a more expensive, but smoother and higher quality material. 

Why should you use Canvas?

Artists all over the world use canvas for many reasons. They are easily accessible, professional, sturdy, easy to hang on the wall, and they come in all kinds of shapes and sizes. Canvases are pretty much the gold standard when it comes to surfaces to paint on. Many craft stores sell canvases, but usually a lower-grade canvas. You can get higher-grade canvases made specifically for professional artists in designated art supply stores. Because stretched canvases have a wooden structure/skeleton underneath, it makes them very sturdy. Larger canvases usually will have horizontal bars going through the center of the canvas to keep the wood from getting all funky. The wooden frame also makes the canvas very easy to hang. You can choose to hang it directly on the wall or put a wire on the back of the canvas. All you need is a hammer and a nail or two; whereas with paper pieces, you or your collector will need to purchase a frame before you are able to hang up the masterpiece. Recently, I have discovered that some brands even make circle and oval canvases. This is revolutionary for artists everywhere! Instead of only having square and rectangle options, artists now have even more variety to choose from for their art. More choices mean more possibilities! Canvases have stood the test of time, again, making them a very desirable option for artists. Because of their archival quality, a gallery would not hesitate to accept a work created on a canvas. 

What makes a great canvas?

All the best canvases share the same qualities; tightly wrapped, a good solid structure, and in general, they are made with high-quality materials. A good canvas will be tight, but will not tear in the corners where it’s wrapped. A loosely stretched canvas is the worst! There are some tricks to get a loose canvas pulled tight after purchasing, such as spraying the back with water and letting it dry in the sun, but it’s best to purchase a canvas that is already tight as a drum. A good canvas will also be primed with gesso, allowing the paint to sit on top of the canvas and not immediately soak into the fibers. A canvas will state whether it is primed or not on the label. The frame of the canvas is important, especially for larger pieces. A quality frame will have more structure, especially for larger pieces. If your canvas is 24”x36” or larger, you will want to be sure to get a canvas with a horizontal bar going across the middle of the canvas. Double check the wood on the canvas to make sure it is not warped, and is free of knots and cracks. Usually, if you are buying a canvas from a reputable brand, you won’t find any errors in the wood they’ve chosen, but it is still a good idea to look your canvas over before walking out of the store with it.

Another thing to consider when choosing the right canvas to paint on is the depth of the canvas. Typically, you want at least 1.38” of depth in a canvas. This just adds an overall more professional feeling to the painting. It’s definitely better to spend that extra few dollars in order to get a higher-quality canvas because the worst thing in the world is creating your favorite painting ever on a low-quality canvas and forever regretting your terrible mistake.

Types of Canvases

There are actually several different types of canvas that artists can use! The general idea is the same, with a few slight variations. 

Canvas Boards

Canvas boards are thin lightweight wood boards with thin canvas wrapped around the front and the edges. These are fantastic for plein air painting sets; you can measure your plein air box to see what canvas board size will fit best for you. 

Unstretched Loose Canvas

Loose canvas is simply canvas without a wooden frame. It is extremely convenient to ship, as you can roll it into a tube, saving a ton of money and boxing time. This is okay if you are shipping to a gallery, but typically, you want your paintings to be stretched when you send them to collectors.

Gallery-Wrapped 

Gallery-wrapped canvases are the most common canvas you see, wrapped around the frame with a minimum of a 1.38” edge. There are also thicker-edged canvases available. These come as a pre gessoed canvas. 

The thinner-edged canvases are the same but with sometimes only a quarter-inch edge. 

Linen

Linen is another painting canvas material. Linen canvases are classic and have a very smooth finish. The “stitch” is much smaller and closer compared to normal cotton canvas. Linen material is fantastic for oil painting canvases, and great for realism and portraits, as the texture of canvas is nearly undetected. 

*What is gesso, and why does it matter?
Gesso is a white, paint-like primer applied to raw canvas to create a smooth, slightly textured surface that paint can grip onto. It helps prevent the paint from soaking directly into the canvas fibers, which not only makes your colors pop but also extends the life of your artwork. Most pre-made canvases come pre-primed with gesso, but you can also apply your own for more control over the surface. Just make sure you apply it correctly—too thick or uneven a layer can lead to gesso cracking over time, which can compromise the look and stability of your painting. When done right, though, gesso is the unsung hero that gives your paint the perfect stage to perform.