What is the Best Stretched Canvas?
As an artist, one of the most important choices you make is what type of canvas boards to use. There are various factors to consider when making this decision, including the painting surface/texture, absorbency, stretching method, durability, etc. In this blog post, we’ll explore the best-stretched art canvas options available so you can make an informed choice for your next project.
Pre-stretched Artist Canvases
Pre-stretched artist canvases are a popular choice for many painters. These canvases come ready to use and do not require additional stretching or priming. They are typically made from primed pure cotton & linen canvas, sometimes blended canvas, mostly with a medium texture. Pre-stretched canvases are available in various sizes so that you can find the perfect fit for your project.
In short:
- Ready to use, no further stretching or priming required
- Medium texture is ideal for a variety of painting styles
- Available in a range of sizes
- Professional artists prefer higher-quality canvases with excellent durability.
- Art students or recreation painters can find themself a reasonable quality of economical student canvas.
Pre-stretched Artist Canvases, commonly called “stretched canvas, are mostly made of three parts:
- Primed cotton or linen canvas
- Stretcher bars
- Back support braces (for medium to large sizes).
There is no other way to make the best-stretched canvas but to use the good quality of the above three materials. today let’s just have a deeper look at stretched cotton canvases.
1. Primed Cotton Canvas (usually triple primed with acrylic gesso)
Primed cotton canvas is the basic requirement. It should be made of 100% cotton, primed with three-layer acrylic primer and stretched over stretcher frames; the primer provides a barrier between the paint and the fabric, allowing for even application and foundation for the attachment of the paint. Some pro artists may prefer oil-based primer.
- The student art canvas is usually made of primed 6Oz cotton canvas (280gsm),
or better ones with primed 7 Oz canvas (350gsm), e.g. LUCA Student Canvas
- Medium-quality artist canvas is usually made of primed 8 Oz cotton canvas (380gsm)
- Premium artist canvases are made of primed 10 Oz (440gsm), e.g. LUCA Premium 10 Oz, the best with primed 12 Oz (480gsm), e.g. LUCA Premium 12 Oz with full profile stretchers and thick back braces for large sizes.
2. Stretcher Bars
Stretcher bars are the key support structure of a stretched canvas. They are typically made of pine wood, but can also be made of metal or plastic. Good- quality- full-profile stretcher bars mean:
- must be kiln-dried
- moisture stabilized timbers
- stretchers look almost square shape from both ends
Student and medium-quality art canvases are usually made with half-profile stretchers instead of full-profile stretchers because they’re cheaper.
Only the premium Stretched artist canvases like LUCA Premium canvas or ART Basic PREMIUM Canvas are made with full profile stretchers 3.7x3.7cm.
3. Back Support Braces (Braces)
There would be serious problems if the braces were not thick and strong enough. This may result in a warped frame and curve bracing under the tension of stretched canvas surface, especially after the canvas has been wet with paint.
Most brace profiles are smaller than 10x35mm, but ideally, the profile should be 17x35mm, like LUCA Premium Canvas 10 Oz and LUCA Premium Canvas 12 Oz.
In conclusion, LUCA Premium 12 Oz canvas combining the best three parts of the materials, is considered as the best pre-stretched artist canvas. Many artists also found the prices of the LUCA premium canvases are unbelievably good at a Warehouse of art supplies in Hornsby NSW, as well as the student canvases at the most competitive prices.
You can find a full range of canvases at www.artsuppliesaustralia.com.au.
