December 23, 2023

That cheap canvas at the bulk store is tempting. I've bought some before. What difference will it make? Nobody actually cares about what's under the painting, right?

Oh, my friend. It really does make a difference.

My first job 'in the real art world' was working for the curatorial department at a museum. As the new kid on the block, I was often tasked with documenting the cracks and fissures that sometimes appear on paintings over time. These cracks can be due to poor paint quality, or the artwork taking a good knock. Sometimes the cause is unknown. Using a proper substrate or support helps ensure your artwork holds up over time and can better withstand the 'slings and arrows of outrageous fortune'. Pardon the Shakespeare quote. I'm in the midst of a debate over his merits with a 12 year old.

Anyway, what makes for a decent quality canvas? There are an abundance of options and it can be difficult to tell the difference.

The short list of options are canvas panels or boards, stretched canvas, and unstretched canvas. ***I'll make a quick note on the difference between canvas and linen at the end of this article.

Canvas panels are an incredibly convenient product. They are thin, lightweight and more portable than a stretched canvas. Canvas panels and boards are made of canvas glued to either wood panel or paper board. What you want to watch for in a panel is whether that core is made or paper or wood products. A paper core is going to be prone to warping when it gets wet. A cheap canvas board is also not going to be well primed and have the tendency of absorbing more paint and allowing moisture to seep through to that core. Look for panels that note what type of canvas they are made of and how it has been sized and primed. Not many brands note what is being used as a core, so tap the back of the panel to check what it sounds like and see if there is flex to the panel if you try to bend it slightly. Flex is a bad thing here.

Pre-stretched canvas can also be incredibly convenient for artists. All the prep work has been done for you, and after removing the plastic wrapping you've got a surface ready to go. They are also the most expensive investment option with canvases, so it can be oh-so-tempting to find a bargain. When choosing a pre-stretched canvas, watch for:

1) What is the frame made of? Is it a cheap wood or something more durable? How thick is it? What types of support bars are built in? Is the canvas stapled on the sides or the back (stapled on the back is better).

2) What type of canvas is it made with? Is it a lightweight 5oz or a heavier 10oz canvas?

3) Has it been sized and primed? Many cheap pre-stretched canvases are primed with a spray on gesso and no sizing. This will leave a very absorbent surface and your paint may even leak through to the other side of the canvas. If your surface is not properly primed, there is the possibility that your paint will not adhere to the surface and could crack or peel, or (if working with oil) the paint could seep into the canvas fibers and cause breakdown. When reading the label on the canvas, check all the details of how it is made and make sure it will suit your purposes.

Finally, loose canvas. This is the arena in which you can be in full control of how your surface is made and prepared. The caveat is that you will need some tools (A staple gun at the bare minimum) and a bit of time and know how. But, really, it's just the smallest bit of know how. You can then choose precisely the size and depth you want your painting to be, whether you are using premade stretcher bars or cutting your own, what the canvas is made of and how heavy the canvas is, and whether it's been pre-primed or if you'll apply your own. If you apply your own sizing and gesso, you have many options here, too, to see to it that your surface is just as you like it.

Now, for the promised tidbit of information. The differences between cotton canvas and linen. Cotton begins (of course) from cotton plants and has a soft, fluffy fiber that results in a consistent weave. It can be mass produced and collected by machine across the Africa, India and the Americas. Linen is made from flax plant fibers that are harvested by hand in Western Europe, usually Belgium. Linen fibers are durable, rigid and longer than those of cotton. These long fibers result in a tighter, stronger weave that is less susceptible to rotting. This results in a painting support that is less prone to changes from humidity and climate, however it can be more difficult to stretch by hand. There just isn't as much 'give' to the fibers. If you haven't stretched your own canvas before, start with cotton canvas. It is more forgiving for beginners.

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