Artist Canvas Rolls and by the yard! At Canvas Etc., we have your canvas painting needs in mind! We carry an outstanding selection of artist canvas painting rolls for all of your creations. Artist canvas painting rolls come in various fabric styles and weights, however our canvas rolls come in 100% cotton duck cloth, or cotton duck canvas. Our cotton duck canvas comes in primed (with gesso) and unprimed varieties.
Our primed canvas has been treated with a gesso finish, which pre-treats the canvas typically for various forms of painting. We also carry unprimed canvas, which allows for sublime saturation within the canvas.
Our artist canvas painting rolls offerings come supplied in various weights depending on its use, as artist canvas is also used for a variety of applications outside of painting, such as a floor cloth or a drop cloth.
Artist Canvas Rolls: A Painted History of Canvas Painting
The first uses for artist canvas date back to as early as 1410! Art and canvas fabric have gone together for quite some time due to canvas’ incredible stretching properties and durability.
Although paintings were primarily painted onto linen fabric, artist canvas rolls grew in popularity during the 16th century. It wasn’t uncommon for large homes in the country to have big paintings on canvas displayed at their residences.
Canvas’ first use were in coverings and sails. Sailors would prefer canvas to cover their goods as they sailed long distances. They made for great sails because of the fabric’s durability and natural stretch.
Canvas for painting made an impression on Renaissance painters. Painters wanted something that was just as good as linen, but not as expensive. Also, they held up in humid environments, making outdoor painting more possible.
As it became known that canvas could also stand the test of time, its use grew into artist canvas rolls becoming the premier material for oil and acrylic painting. Overall, canvas became a staple for all artists.
Canvas is an extremely versatile painting surface, and comes in a variety of widths, sizes and weights to suit every need and every budget. Canvas for painting is very flexible and can be used for everything from tiny paintings to large, expansive works. However, the two main reasons why canvas is such a popular surface among painters is due to how great it feels under the brush, as well as its obvious durability and longevity. It’s lighter weight as compared to traditional wood surfaces makes it significantly easier to transport, and which is why its popularity grew so quickly so long ago!
Famous Painters Who Loved Canvas
You don’t have to look far to see how artist canvas made an indelible influence on some of the world’s most famous artists. Some incredible painters who loved using artist canvas were:
- Andy Warhol: Famously known for his pop art style, Andy Warhol made a name for himself with his acrylic on canvas painting of Campbell’s Soup cans. His brightly colored renderings of popular American culture made him well known in the art community.
- Jackson Pollock: Jackson Pollock was the father of modern drip style paintings. His expressionist work was mainly abstract and he’s best known for his chaotic paint splattered works on canvas.
- Salvador Dalí: The mind bending surrealist painter Salvador Dalí blew many away with his off the wall works. His renderings onto canvas are some of the most recognizable paintings of the 20th century to date.
- René Magritte: Another surrealist painter, René Magritte’s Son of a Man painting made with oil on canvas is one of the most recognizable art pieces today. This French painter blurred the lines of reality in his imaginative paintings.
- Pablo Picasso: Arguably one of the most famous painters of all time, Pablo Picasso worked with many art materials, including canvas. His famous paintings of distorted characters are easily spotted in art museums around the world today.
These famous painters and more make up a large community of artists who used and continue to use canvas. Artist canvas doesn’t cease to be one of the most popular materials for a limitless array of artwork.
Primed vs. Unprimed Canvas
As previously mentioned, Canvas ETC. carries both primed and unprimed canvas. However, what is the true difference and is there a better option between the two?
The answer lies within the artist! While some artists prefer unprimed canvas for its saturation benefits, a primed canvas with gesso works better for others.
Our primed canvas varieties come coated in gesso. Gesso is a base that is brushed onto unprimed or raw canvas prior to painting. This coating creates a barrier on top of your raw canvas.
The gesso coat (pronounced “jesso,” and which is a mixture of plaster of Paris, glue, chalk or pigment) allows a painter to paint on top of the canvas. This allows for the actual canvas to last slightly longer since the paint isn’t soaking directly into the canvas. Priming a canvas in gesso makes stretching a canvas over wood more difficult as the gesso locks the cotton fibers in place.
An unprimed canvas doesn’t have gesso brushed onto its surface. Unprimed or raw canvas is easily stretchable over a wooden frame. It also saturates your paints better over its surface as there isn’t a barrier between your canvas.
Overall, the choice is simply up to the artists themselves. Practicing with both unprimed and primed canvas makes for interesting renderings and allows for an artist to choose what will work best for their work.
Artist Canvas Rolls: Weights
Artist canvas rolls come in varying weights. These weights not only classify its heaviness, but they also help rationalize other uses for the canvas itself. Artist canvas can be as light as 7 oz. or as heavy as 15 oz.
The lighter a canvas variety, the trickier stretching it may be. A lighter canvas will work for stretching over wooden frames, but may rip over a heavier variety. Usually, using a canvas over 7 oz. will allow for good stretch but will not bust.
A good, well rounded weight for canvas over wood frames is 11.5 oz. or what’s known as #12 cotton duck canvas. This weight stretches well but is also durable and works as either primed or unprimed canvas.
A heavier canvas is amazing for large installations or even murals. This durable canvas works not only as a floor covering for painting, but to paint upon as well. For painters who like to work with big art, heavier canvas does the trick.
All in all, the weight of an artist canvas roll is another preference for the artist. Choosing what works best for the piece overall will determine the weight of the canvas.
We sell this Artist Canvas by the yard or by the bolt. One can easily create their own stretched canvas, canvas panels, canvas pads from our primed canvas rolls!
Accessories for Artist Canvas
Artist canvas rolls are incomplete with certain tools of the trade. Whether you’re a hobbyist painter or professional artist, there are many tools of the trade that work best when working with artist canvas.
One of the first tools used for artist canvas rolls are wood stretchers. These stretchers become framed and decide the size of your artwork. The artist canvas rolls stretch over a wooden frame before you start on your work.
Another helpful art supply is an easel. An easel supports your canvas as you create your masterpiece! Easels are adjustable and allow you to paint wherever.
When it comes down to materials used, that depends on the artist. If you’re painter, you may use oil, acrylic, watercolor, tempera or other styles of paint. If you like to sketch, micro-pens, charcoal, pencils, or other media is best suited for your renderings.
There are other artist tools depending on the materials that suit your preference. From sharpeners for pencils to scraping tools for paint, the options are endless.
Accessories are a necessity when you’re creating great work on artist canvas. They’ll help you take your concept to its full reality.
Products Utilizing Artist Canvas Rolls
Artist canvas rolls can be found in a number of products and used for different DIY projects, including:
- Painting: Artist canvas rolls are traditionally used for different art mediums, and painting is no exception. Whether it is oil, acrylic, watercolor or other paints, our artist canvas rolls are up for the challenge!
- Drop Cloths: If you’re trying to protect your floors from debris or paint while working on a project, our canvas works great as a covering to reduce clean up. Our #8 and #12 canvas rolls are perfect for this use!
- Murals: Designed for the rough and tumble painter, our 15 oz. primed canvas works for a number of applications, especially mobile murals and wall murals. Paint and hang this canvas wherever you desire!
- Photo Prints: Our artist canvas rolls work to preserve your memories in a unique way! Print on our canvas to showcase your photos in an exciting way.
Be sure to check out our large selection of artist canvas rolls. If you have any questions, contact us for assistance and our experts are here to help.
