How To Choose Canvas For Painting?

Knowing how to pick canvas for painting is the bread and butter of every artist. For centuries, this universal material has been known for its great durability and adhesive qualities. It can be used with any type of paints and has a number of advantages over other mediums like paper of panel. But not all canvases are the same and picking the right one can be tricky. Remember: this is the foundation of your pictures, not just something to paint on, so you need to pay close attention to its quality. How can you tell a good, sturdy canvas from a poor-quality one?

• - Check the robustness of the threads. If they are thin and fragile, it can tear even during the process of painting. Thin canvases are also more likely to sag and fluctuate over time.

• - Look at the canvas very close or hold it up to a light. If you can see through the holes, it’s better to go with another one.A good canvas should have a tight weave otherwise the paint could sink into it. Loosely woven canvases are also less durable and stable.

• - When buying a stretched canvas, push on it to check it stretch. If it gives in easily, it will sag very fast under the weight of heavy oil paints. 

• - Flip the canvas over to see what’s keeping it together. According to painting standards, the canvas should be stapled to the wood frame rather than glued to it or attached by any other means.

• - A canvas that is stapled on the side isn’t appropriate for painting since it doesn’t provide enough tension and stability. As a rule, this is done to reduce storage space since canvases stapled on the back can’t be stacked on top of each other. For that reason, avoid buying canvases that are sold in packages of two or more.

• - Make sure the stretcher bars are made of robust, high-quality wood processed in a proper way. You don’t want them to warp or crack in a couple of months.

• - The way it was stretched is also important. While machine stretching is constantly improving, there is nothing more valuable than hand stretching done by a professional (despite a higher price).

• - Finally, it’s always more safe to buy canvases produced by trusted companies. Some brands like Fredrix or Michaels have a better repute and can be trusted all right with canvas quality.