Canvas, Watercolour Papers & Surfaces

Canvas

The traditional and time-honoured surface for paintings is canvas. Artists have been painting on stretched canvas using paints ground in linseed oil for centuries. Stretched canvas is lightweight and relatively inexpensive. Nothing compares to the feel of painting with a high-quality brush on well-stretched canvas.

Artist’s canvas is made from cotton or linen; it’s sold primed or unprimed and comes in rolls, pre-stretched or mounted on panels. Cotton canvas, sometimes called cotton duck is less expensive than linen. Linen is made from the flax plant, the same source as linseed oil. Canvas comes in rolls in a variety of widths and weights: Generally, lightweight canvas is 4 to 6 ounces, medium-weight is 7 to 9 ounces, and heavyweight is 10 to 12 ounces.

Stretching Your Own Canvas

To assemble and craft your own canvas requires only the use of a few tools. This method is more economical than purchasing pre-stretched canvas, plus it’s easy to create custom sizes. Besides the canvas itself, you will need stretcher bars, canvas pliers and a heavy-duty stapler.

Stretcher bars, pliers and staplers available in store

Drop by today and check out our amazing selection of Canvas, Watercolour Papers & Surfaces!
Northmount Plaza, 3400 14 Street NW – Calgary Alberta