Ask any painter and they’ll likely tell you that canvas is their surface of choice when it comes to preparing art. The end result of a painting made of canvas gives it a professional touch, but when you’re new to buying this type of support for art, you might be a little lost as to where to start. Keep reading to find out how to choose the proper canvas for acrylic art.
Choosing the right canvas to paint on is just as important as deciding what you’re going to paint, and even when using a system like paint by numbers it will have a huge effect on the finished product. The difference between a good picture and a great one could all come down to the type of painting canvas you use, so you have to make sure to buy one that’s quality.
This simple guide can show you through the many features to consider when choosing your canvas material for painting. You’ll have to factor in size, price, quality, and even the type of paint you’re using, but with the right pick it will be well worth the effort.
Contents
Canvas for Acrylic Art – Different Types of Canvas
- Value Pack - This bulk set of canvas boards for painting includes 12 panels for you to create on. Never run out of painting supplies for your...
- Quality Materials - Let your artistic side shine with these acid-free cotton canvas panels. Grown, woven, and primed in India, these individually...
- Versatile - The perfect blank canvas board for artists of any age, from kids to adults. Use them for a school project, group party, craft time...
Canvas has been the support of choice for painters since the 16th century, and it’s because of the two major benefits it offers. First, a painting done on canvas will outlast all other surfaces, and the way that the canvas material is receptive to the brush means your artwork will undoubtedly turn out better.
There are different types of canvas to choose from though, and not all of them will be right for each artist. Most kits will come with a pre-assembled canvas board, but consider these other types when you’re on the hunt for the best canvas for paint by numbers.
Canvas rolls
- Acid-free, double-primed acrylic-based surface ensures years of longevity without yellowing or fading.
- Can be easily cut or trimmed to any desired size.
- Arrives ready to use, right out of the box!
Large rolls of canvas that you can paint and then stretch or hang depending on what you want to do with it. Serious artists often have rolls of this available to save some money but still keep the high quality canvas.
Stretched canvas
- Academy Art Supply Stretched Canvases Pack of 6
These come in various sizes and have been stretched onto a board so they’re ready to paint and hang immediately. They’re usually more expensive but higher quality.
Canvas panels
- Value Pack - This bulk set of canvas boards for painting includes 12 panels for you to create on. Never run out of painting supplies for your...
- Quality Materials - Let your artistic side shine with these acid-free cotton canvas panels. Grown, woven, and primed in India, these individually...
- Versatile - The perfect blank canvas board for artists of any age, from kids to adults. Use them for a school project, group party, craft time...
A cheaper alternative is a canvas panel which features a piece of primed material mounted on a board. Materials used for these include hessian, calico, and muslin.
Canvas pads
- Affordable and "green" alternative to stretched canvas.
- 10 sheets per pad - Triple-primed with premium gesso.
- 100% cotton duck canvases grown and woven in India.
Just like a notebook, these are smaller pads of paper made out of canvas. They’re ideal for practicing and come in a spiral bound notebook that makes it easier to rip out pages as you need. Most pads are made of paper and not as durable as the others so they’re better left for practice.
Canvas for Acrylic Art – Features to Consider When Shopping
You might not realize just how many features there are to consider when shopping for canvas, and the initial search can be overwhelming. Before finding the perfect choice, think about features and what might be the best support for your work of art.
Quality
Just like other art supplies, the quality of the canvas varies significantly. The cheaper materials like muslin and calico are still enjoyable to paint on but won’t last as long. Something more expensive like linen or cotton will yield the best results.
Primer
Most canvas products made for art have been primed as a way to make them more receptive to paint and able to last longer. Look for something that matches your paint, like an acrylic primer or universally primed surface.
Size
Purchasing canvas that’s already been stretched onto a board means you need to know exact measurements of what you’re painting. This can be a challenge for artists as it restricts whatever you’re working on. There are three main categories of small, medium, and large, their most common sizes start at 4 x 6” and as large as 36 x 48”. Mini canvases are anything under 4 x 6” but not usually used for paint by numbers.
Shape
A rectangular canvas is the most common, this is what you’ll find most paint by numbers featuring with their image. You have the option to mix it up with a square or circular canvas, but expect to pay more.
Price
Cheaper materials start as low as a few dollars and extend into the hundreds of dollars for higher quality. The size and shape will also affect the total cost of the canvas and how it’s been prepared.
Material
- FINE TIP MINIATURE PAINT BRUSH SET includes all your pointed liners, rounds, flats, and spot brushes. Perfect oil paint brush set for detailed...
- PERFECTLY WEIGHTED AND BALANCED ergonomic design provides absolute control, comfort, and precision. Well balanced, steady control with precision...
- BEAUTIFUL HANDCRAFTED BIRCHWOOD with 7 layers of protective lacquer coat for a professional look. Triangular handle provides the perfect...
There are a few main choices for canvas material, they will impact receptiveness of the paintbrush, durability, longevity, and price. Common choices are natural materials like linen, cotton, muslin, and hessian.
Canvas for Acrylic Art – Finding the Ideal Foundation For Your Art
The surface or support you choose for your painting will impact so many parts of it. Canvas is the top choice for serious and beginner artists. It gives you a smooth and reliable surface to work with, and ensures the very best outcome from your paintbrush.
As you can see, there’s a lot to consider when choosing canvas and many deciding factors that can impact it. Beginner artists working on paint by numbers don’t have to spend much if you’re not ready. Once you feel confident though, it’s worthwhile to splurge on some quality canvas.
The best part about creating art is being able to show it off, that’s what makes canvas a good choice. You can hang art at home or gift to a friend, and the support of canvas makes a big difference.
