Choosing the right art canvas - Hobby Land NZ Blog Post

Canvases are the go-to choice for most painters but knowing which one to choose can be tricky if you don’t already have a preference. Whether you're stretching your canvas or buying ready-made stretched canvas or canvas boards, there are many types to choose from. The characteristics you require from your surface will determine which one you choose. The weight of the fabric, the material it is made from, and the combination of surface preparation will give different painting experiences and affect the final look of your painting.


You can get ready-made canvas boards of various sizes and surface features from Hobby Land. Many artists try to paint on different canvases, primers, and patterns until they find the surface that works best for the way they paint - so try a few out to find what works for you. The quality of the surface can greatly affect the painting of some artists, especially techniques such as oil or acrylic painting. If you still aren’t sure, we’re here to guide you to finding your canvas. Let’s get stuck in.

The two main types of material used to make canvases are cotton and linen:

Cotton

Cotton is cheaper and therefore not as durable as linen. The cotton stretches easily and stays stuck to the stretcher bars. Linen is made from flax and is more durable because it has longer fibres, meaning it is less likely to tear at the seam line or the sharp outer corner of the stretcher bar. Cotton doesn’t stand the test of time as linen does, but is still a great choice for amateur and budding artists. Heavier weighted cotton is stronger and this material is easier to stretch over frames yourself. Linen's stiffness means it's harder to pull when stretched, and you'll need to be careful to maintain even tension throughout the linen, otherwise it can wrinkle around the edges later on. Unprimed cotton is usually cream white in colour and we also have recycled materials canvases on offer.

Linen

Linen is often the more expensive option because linen fibres require more steps to process and its inelasticity makes it difficult to weave into fabric. It has a smoother and denser texture, and is very durable as a result. If you're painting, scraping, repainting, scratching, repainting, then linen is a better option for you as it will be able to handle this physical approach. 

Offering a fantastic surface for painting, linen has a cache among art collectors and so artists will usually mention it in their materials list. There is a romanticism about painting in oils on linen canvas that as an artist you’ll surely enjoy

With everything from stretched to unstretched canvas, single canvas boards to canvas packs, you’ll find your artistic streak with Hobby Land - and all the tools that are required. Get creative today and get in touch for more advice and expertise.