Additional factors to look for include size, construction, and whether or not the canvas was stretched. Professional painter Cris Cristofaro stretches his own canvases for his artwork and emphasizes the importance of using high-quality materials. “If I am buying online, I would want to know what the back looks like and if the stretcher is constructed well,” he says. While professionals tend to opt for something of slightly better quality and in turn more costly, beginner painters may opt for something affordable that comes in bulk for practicing different styles and techniques. Fine artist Ben Rizzo lets his process and art style guide his buying decision. “Knowing your process and style will help steer you to the type of canvas you want to buy,” he advises. Here, our top picks for the best painting canvases for all levels and needs. These canvases have been pre-treated with double acrylic titanium priming, so they are ready to paint right out of the box. Professionals and beginners alike will love the smooth and taut surface these canvases provide for a variety of projects. Dimensions: 16 x .62 x 20 inches | Weight: Not listed | Material: Cotton You can choose the ideal size of your role for maximum usage, and the canvas roll can then be cut to any size you desire. It comes double primed for years of use without yellowing and has multiple purposes besides painting with acrylics: drawing, oil, watercolors, or other home crafts and projects. Dimensions: Varies | Weight: Varies | Material: Cotton This canvas is already acid-free acrylic titanium-primed and ready to paint. Thanks to its unique surface, you can wipe away any wet mistakes as you work. While designed for watercolor, you can also use acrylic paints on this canvas and see desirable results. Dimensions: 12 x 0.69 x 16 inches | Weight: 0.75 pounds | Material: Cotton Masterpiece has all of the qualities that professionals want in a canvas including a primed surface, taut sides, and a smooth surface for acrylic or oil paints. The grid adds a special touch that makes it easier to transfer drawings and photographs to the canvas. This would be especially helpful for portrait artists who want an accurate result. Dimensions: Varies | Weight: Varies | Material: Cotton This pack from Hanson is made for oil and acrylic paints and is designed to be bleed-proof, so no water or paints will ruin other pages in the pack or the surface you are painting on. There is no priming necessary, so artists can get right to creating with 24 sheets. Dimensions: Varies | Weight: Varies | Material: Paper Blick canvases are triple primed, making this a great choice for intermediate painters that expect a great tooth in a canvas, which refers to the roughness or smoothness of the surface. The wood frame is warp resistant and stretches tight for a flat working surface. Dimensions: 12 x 12 inches | Weight: 0.625 pounds | Material: Cotton Canvas panels offer nearly the same quality surface as stretched canvas, but they often do not last quite as long. Therefore, canvas panels are great for beginners because they’re affordable, can be bought in bulk, and are perfect for practicing different techniques. Dimensions: Varies | Weight: Varies | Material: Cotton Deep edges mean the painting stands out further from the wall, so this can be very effective if you want to continue the painting around the edges or never frame a canvas. It also means the stretchers are thicker, which means you can have a larger format canvas without needing a cross-brace to prevent warping. Winsor & Newton canvases are hand-stretched for the best tension and tailored corners. This model also includes wooden keys for further stretching if desired. Dimensions: Varies | Weight: Varies | Material: Cotton This linen canvas from Masterpiece uses Belgian linen and is double sized and primed with highly absorbent warm yellowish archival quality oil primer. This kind of canvas is only suited for oil paints. The linen has natural fibers that help prevent disintegration over time for long lasting work. Dimensions: Varies | Weight: Varies | Material: Linen You can buy both stretched and unstretched canvases with or without primer already painted onto it. Most primed canvases are suitable for both oil paints and acrylic, but always double check. With acrylics, you won’t have to worry as much, but with oil paint, the oils will, with time, cause the fabric to deteriorate and become brittle. Rizzo also shares that you can prime your own canvas easily with gesso, a white paint mixture. “Use a paint roller and you can be done in half the time,” he says. “Make sure the application is even with two coats of gesso, and leave about an hour of dry time in-between. Do not add water.”
Stretched or Not?
Buying stretched canvas is definitely a time saver and there are no downsides to it. “It is ready for optimal painting,” says Rizzo. Unstretched canvas can still be painted on, but it will give you a rougher finish. “And if you decide to stretch a canvas after you paint, you can run into problems with the cotton stretching out with your paint on it,” Rizzo adds. Items like canvas roll, canvas paper, and canvas boards are not stretched over frames and are flat against their surface. Canvas roll can be stretched over frames for that classic look while the others are meant more for practicing skills than displaying in frames.
Size
Depending on the project you want to create, you will need a particularly-sized canvas. Luckily, canvases come in multiple sizes and shapes for every image imaginable. Most pre-stretched canvases are made to fit in standard frame sizes, but for more unique shapes, opt for canvas roll that can be cut into any size. Every artist will eventually find the size that they enjoy working on. Rizzo suggests, “Experiment with all and you will find which one is best suited for you. I always tell my students, ‘Paint big and be bold and confident,’” he says.
Why Trust the Spruce?
This article was written by Julia Fields, a lifestyle writer for The Spruce covering all things surrounding toys, gifts, and the holidays. She’s also covered similar topics in other roles, including toy reviews, product round-ups, expert-focused articles, and more. Expert advice was provided by professional painter Cris Cristofaro and fine artist Ben Rizzo. Rizzo knows that the price will reflect the quality of the canvas, but he reminds us: “You do not need to get the best quality supplies to be a good artist.”
