The Foundation of Every Artwork
A canvas is to an artist what a blank page is to a writer. A necessary ingredient in the creative process, signalling a creative void to be filled, a blank slate for potential.
However, unlike a blank page, canvases come in a variety of materials, textures, sizes, and types. Choosing the right one for your unique project will materially impact the look and feel of your finished artwork.
How do you know which to choose? The simple answer is to consult with knowledgeable staff at a reputable art store like Above Ground Art Supplies, who can recommend canvases based on the particular details of your project. A more detailed answer involves getting to know the wide world of canvases. Let’s take a closer look!
Take Stock of the Material
Generally, canvases come in one of two materials: cotton and linen. They both have their merits.
Cotton is a relatively low-cost canvas option, so many students and hobbyists favour it. It’s also easy to stretch and prime, making it a fantastic introductory material for painters. Appropriately treated, a cotton canvas will last for some time. However, it won’t last as long as its linen counterparts.
Linen is the traditional choice favoured by professional artists creating “archival” art, that is, durable works meant to stand the test of time. It’s also inflexible and warp-resistant, making it a superior choice for large-scale paintings. (The flexibility of a cotton canvas can buckle in the centre of a large frame.
How Fine Is Your Fine Art Canvas?
Texture is another key consideration when picking the right canvas. Like most natural materials, canvases come in various gradations of coarseness and fineness. Fine canvases (like most cotton and some linen ones) are fantastic for smaller, more detailed works. Meanwhile, coarser canvases handle big pieces really well, bringing their own boldness and texture to the finished artwork.
Consider Types: Pads, Panels, Rolls and Stretched Canvases
This is where you can seriously open a can of worms. Canvases come in various types, suited to differing needs, skill levels, and tastes for convenience. Broadly, they fall into the four following categories:
Canvas Pads
These are essentially drawing pads stocked with canvas, ideal for tinkering around, brainstorming colour combinations, and dashing off quick works of art. Another great benefit to Canvas Pads is how portable they are, letting artists practice and paint on the go. Shop our selection of Above Ground Canvas Pads in various sizes below!
Above Ground Canvas Pad
9" x 12" | 280 gsm | 10 Sheets
Above Ground Canvas Pad
12" x 16" | 280 gsm | 10 Sheets
Above Ground Canvas Pad
16" x 20" | 280 gsm | 10 Sheets
Canvas Panels
These are single sheets of canvas primed with gesso and ready to receive paint. You can mount them to an easel to start painting. Canvas panels (and pads) aren’t typically archival, though you can find some that are. Canvas Panels can be used with a wide variety of media, including oils, acrylics, and paint markers.
These sturdy, 3mm thick boards are covered with 280gsm pure cotton canvas. Available in the following sizes:
4-Packs of our rigid primed canvas pads with a precise cut-edge. Available in the following sizes:
Stretched Canvas
Stretched, pre-mounted and ready to go, these canvases are (usually) archival quality without the legwork. If “professional” is the look you’re after, consider stretched canvases.
For artists seeking top-notch quality, exquisite texture, unwavering stability, and longevity, our Above Ground Premium Linen Canvas is the ultimate choice! Crafted for use with oil, acrylic, and alkyd paints across all artistic techniques, this canvas is a testament to professional quality.
Available in 3/4″ profile in popular sizes: from 9″ x 12″ to 30″ x 40“.
Get Custom Canvas Stretching
Your artwork deserves a foundation that’s as thoughtfully prepared as the work itself. Our custom Canvas Stretching Service provides proper support and even tension, creating a finished piece that’s ready to hang and built to last. From rolled paintings and giclée prints to original works, each stretcher is made to your precise measurements for a clean, professional result. Only at our 74 McCaul St. Location!
Our Service Includes
- Standard Stretching. Ideal for most paintings and prints, providing clean edges and even tension across the canvas surface.
- Custom-Built Stretcher Bars. Made from high-quality wood and crafted to suit any size, depth, or proportion for perfect stability.
- Re-Stretching & Repairs. We can tighten, reframe, or restore older canvases to restore their original presentation and integrity.
- Gallery-Wrap Stretching. A modern, frameless look that wraps the image neatly around the edges for a contemporary display.
- and much more!
Canvas Rolls
A DIYer’s dream, canvas rolls are… well, rolls of canvas. You can stretch them to whatever shape you need and cut and mount them how you see fit. Buying canvas rolls is the old-school way of starting a painting, and several professional artists still prefer the customizability.
Flexible Surfaces for Large-Scale Work
Create your custom-sized canvases for painting. Canvas rolls provide flexibility and cost-effectiveness compared to pre-stretched canvases, making them ideal for large-scale or custom projects. Artists can stretch the canvas onto stretcher bars or mounting boards to create their own personalized canvases tailored to their artistic needs.
Visit us at our flagship location at 74 McCaul St. and speak to one of our experts to have canvas rolls cut for you in-store!
For your Bigger Projects
For artists who demand exceptional quality, the Above Ground Pro Heavyweight Canvas offers a large, durable surface designed to handle thick paint applications and impasto techniques with ease. Crafted for use with oil, acrylic, and alkyd paints across all artistic techniques, this canvas is a true testament to professional quality. Made from 100% cotton duck, it features a 12 oz pre-primed weight and is coated with three layers of acid-free acrylic titanium gesso, reaching a finished weight of 19 oz. Available in a 2″ Profile.
Ready for the studio, every canvas is tightly stretched on durable, kiln-dried pine wood stretcher bars. With squared, blanket-fold corners, re-stretching is a breeze. Plus, the gallery-wrapped back provides a polished look, whether framed or unframed.
Once you decide on the materials, fineness, and type of canvas you prefer, you can look for high-quality brands like Winsor & Newton, Old Holland, Liquitex and of course Above Ground Art Supplies. Now, the only thing left to do is begin your masterpiece.