Art CANVAS / Surfaces

When you need a canvas for an art project you can find it here. There are many different types of canvas available here from canvas panels to standard stretched canvases. Whether you are looking for oil canvas or absorbent canvas for tempura or you want a universal canvas that will work for anything, they are all available here. There are also paper backgrounds for other art projects and multi-media and even accessories for canvas like stretcher bars. Your next art project will be much better when you put it on one of the many canvases that we have available and you'll love the incredible selection and the low prices that you'll get. With large pictures and easy to read descriptions you'll have no trouble at all deciding on the perfect canvas for your next project.

All of the canvases that you need for any art project from traditional to the less commonly used.



have you ever gone to an
art museum?

every famous artist with
a beautiful work of art
had to start somewhere...

... once you learn the
basics of putting paint
on canvas...

you can do anything you
want with your artwork...

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CANVAS/Surfaces
Art Canvases

Fredrix Canvas: It's not just a stroke of paint, it's your brush with history!™

Fredrix Artist Canvas Fredrix Canvases - The premier artist canvas since 1868!

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Art Canvas

Quality art canvas and canvas techniques are an integral part of the success of your art piece or painting. There are many techniques for preparing and stretching your canvas and techniques for using canvas with different paints including oil paints, water color paints and acrylic paints. If your canvas is improperly prepared your painting may not last and ultimately be damaged so do your homework and learn how to use canvas and create your art canvas properly.

The Different Grades of Primed Canvas

When shopping at an art supply store or through an online catalog, you'll notice that artists canvas comes in single, double and universal primed. Single primed canvas simply means that gesso has been applied only once. A single primed canvas is flexible and shows more of the fabric's texture. Double primed canvas is smoother and stiffer because it has an additional layer of gesso. Universal primed canvas is triple acrylic primed to accept oil, acrylics or alkyds.

Acrylic Paint On Canvas

Looking for canvas tips? It is easy to prepare a canvas for acrylic paint. Simply by applying gesso in thin coats over the canvas, one coat of straight gesso will give a rough finish. When applying numerous coats of gesso, dilute it with a blend of 1/2 part water and 1/2 part acrylic gloss medium. Use a wide brush to apply the gesso to the canvas directly with even strokes going from top to bottom, parallel from edge to edge.

The Vocabulary of Artist Canvas

Different grades and types of canvas have a vocabulary all of their own. Some of the terms that you may encounter include tone, which is the shade of the canvas' priming. Pumiced is the hand process of rubbing linen with a pumice stone to smooth its texture. When a canvas is picked it means that its irregular or nubbly spots have been removed. Duck is a popular type of cotton canvas amongst artists. It comes in a range of weights and textures.

Stretch Canvas

Artists use pieces of canvas to sketch ideas for paintings. Many artists sketch on canvas before they begin painting a single stroke.

Artist Canvas

Canvas is the general term for the woven fabric painted upon by artists. The most common types of canvas are linen and cotton. Linen is stronger and more expensive than cotton. Cotton is more affordable and easier to stretch tightly. And, a heavy grade of cotton can make up for the strength.

Muslin & Scrim

Muslin is a less expensive and more loosely woven fabric that can be used as canvas. Scrim is another affordable canvas choice. It is made of a cotton/linen mix. When properly stretched, both of these canvas alternatives look and feel the same as traditional canvas.


MORE TIPS ON ARTISTS' CANVAS':

Acrylic Paint On Canvas
How do I prepare a canvas for acrylic paint?
When you are preparing your canvass for acrylic paints you should apply gesso to it. One coat of gesso will give your canvass a rough finish. If you want to apply additional coasts of gesso you should apply it from top to bottom with a wide brush using parallel strokes.

Artist Canvas
What is artist canvas?
Linen and cotton are the most common canvas material used by painters. Of the two, linen is stronger and more expensive. However, cotton stretches tighter. You can make your cotton canvas stronger by choosing a heavier grade of cotton.

Muslin & Scrim
What is muslin?
If you are looking for a canvas that is not woven as tight as cotton or linen you may want to consider muslin. Muslin is less expensive than cotton and linen and when stretched properly it looks and feels the same as a traditional canvas.

The Different Grades of Primed Canvas
What do the terms single, double and universal primed mean?
You can purchase canvas in single primed, double primed and universal primed. Single primed means the canvas has only had one application of gesso added to it. This is ideal for a painter who wants the canvas to be flexible and show the fabric’s texture. Double primed means the canvas has an additional layer of gesso. It will be stiffer and smoother. A universal primed canvas means the canvas has had three applications and it is primed and ready to accept acrylics, alkyds or oil paints.

The Vocabulary of Artist Canvas
What terms do I need to know about canvas?
If you are new to the painting world you may be unfamiliar with the vocabulary that is used to describe canvas.
• Tone: This word refers to the shade of the priming.
• Pumiced: This is the term used to describe the process of rubbing a pumice stone over linen to smooth its texture.
• Picked: This is the term used to describe a canvas that has had its irregularities removed.
• Duck: This is the word used to describe a type of cotton canvas that comes in a wide range of textures and weights.
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