Best Quality Canvases: For The Artist Within You

Canvas' mention draws in mind a picture of an artist painting on a white surface that is mounted on a wooden stand. The canvas, however, is not a modern invention; rather a legacy of the renaissance. During this art revolution, the invention of canvas opened the possibility of large art works, which could be made on readily available and cheap fabric, or even hemp that was also used in making boat sails, and not cotton. Slowly, artists started experimenting and replacing hemp with linen or cotton. This artistic affair extends till date, where many a painting are made on canvas. The cotton fabric used in making canvases, makes for excellent surface for oil and acrylic paintings. However, depending on the texture of fabric used, its weight, size and priming, the quality of canvases can vary.

We present before the hidden Picasso within you, a curated list of fine quality canvases, on which you can unleash your creative juices.

1. Camel Canvas Board - 30cm x 30cm

It is a well-suited canvas for artists, supporting a majority of art techniques including heavy application of colour. Catering to the need of a fine priming, the board has a triple layered coating of acrylic primer, providing an excellent smooth surface for colours. Since the cloth used is acid free, it doesn't tamper the colours. It is also lightweight and non-bending in nature. It can be used with oil, acrylic, and fabric colours. 

2. HomeStrap Cotton Canvas Board Medium Grain 10 X 12 Inches

Ideal for artists as well as beginners, HomeStrap cotton canvas board is a popular choice amongst art enthusiasts. Each board is made of 5Oz of 100% cotton and Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF). The board has a double layering of acrylic titanium primer. It is suitable for oil and acrylic paintings. Its anti-fungal properties are an added feather on the hat.  

3. Navneet Youva | Canvas Board | 8x10 inch

This versatile board offers an ideal painting surface for poster, acrylic, oil, as well as fabric colours, making it one of the most preferred canvases. Its acid free nature not only helps in colour retention, but also prevents colour spreads or spills while painting. It is made of a fine quality lightweight MDF board, ideal for painting. The double layered coating of acrylic gesso primer enhances its brightness and colour absorbency.  

4. Canvasify Medium Grain Artist Canvas Board - 5" x 7"

Coated with three generous layers of acrylic gesso, the Classify Medium Grain Canvas makes for a perfect surface for heavy paint coating, without leakage or soaking. The acid free board is 3mm thick and is made from specially produced cotton and poly cotton fabrics, besides high quality MDF board. The canvas is ideal for acrylic and oil paints.

Things to be kept in mind before buying a canvas:

• Fabric: If you are looking for a fine quality canvas, go for the one made from linen. However, if linen is too expensive for you, go for an affordable cotton canvas.

• Texture: Different textures are suited for different types of paintings. For detailed works, go for a canvas with smooth surface and for large sized paintings, even a rough textured one would be fine. 

• Prime: For portraying the true colours of a paint, primed canvases are preferred. However, if you plan on getting dull and textured colour, an un-primed canvas would be a better choice. 

• Weight: Heavier the weight, greater the tension that canvas fabric can take without tearing. If you have to work on a large stretched canvas, the canvas with heavier weight is preferred.