Best Canvases for Acrylic Painting

Discover the best canvas for acrylic painting which involves considering several factors. We will explore top canvases for all levels.

Best Canvases for Acrylic Painting

Selecting the ideal canvas for acrylic paint involves considering several factors. Firstly, you must decide between a stretched canvas or a canvas board.

Additionally, the quality and price of the canvas are important considerations. In this blog post, we will explore the top choices suitable for both beginners and professionals. If you are looking for the best paper for acrylic paint, check this out!

Best Canvases for Acrylic Paintings

Discover the top canvas options, the ideal supports for acrylic paintings. These canvases are pre-primed and ready for use, meeting our standards of affordability and performance. In case you are curious, a support refers to the surface used for creating art, such as canvas, paper, board, metals, or glass.

These canvases provide a cost-effective and long-lasting option. Having personally ordered them for the past 20 years, I can attest to their consistent quality. For beginners seeking reliable and affordable canvases, the options below are highly recommended.

Top Canvas Choices for Acrylic Paint

#1 – Winsor & Newton Classic Cotton: Ideal for Beginner Artists

For those new to acrylic painting, a pre-stretched canvas is highly recommended. The Winsor & Newton Classic Cotton offers a convenient option as it comes ready-to-go with its pre-stretched and primed surface.

Available in various sizes, we suggest starting with at least 11″ x 14″ or opt for 16″ x 20″ if you prefer a larger canvas for your artwork. These canvases can be easily found at craft stores or online retailers.


Best canvas for beginner acrylic painters
Blick Studio Cotton Canvas

#2 – Blick Studio Cotton Canvas: A Top Choice for Beginner Artists

If you’re searching for an affordable yet reliable stretched canvas, look no further than the Blick Studio Cotton Canvas. Suitable for both students and professionals, this canvas offers a good balance between cost and quality.

Notably, its backstitching feature ensures that your artwork stays intact even after rigorous use. Whether you’re working on your creations at home or in a class, Blick Studio Cotton Canvas is a fantastic option to consider.


Best canvas for professional acrylic artists
Old Holland Belgian Canvas

#3 – Old Holland Belgian Linen: The Ultimate Canvas for Professional Artists

When it comes to professional canvas options, Old Holland Belgian Linen reigns supreme. Crafted from 100% Belgian linen, this canvas offers a medium texture that is perfect for various oil painting techniques.

It boasts a triple-coated surface with an oil-based primer, making it exclusively suitable for oil painting. With a primed weight of 10 oz (pre-primed 4.5 oz), this canvas ensures optimal support for your artistic endeavors. Its 1-3/8″ solid wood stretcher bars and back-stapled design with blanket-fold corners guarantee both stability and longevity.

Elevate your oil paintings with the unmatched quality of Old Holland Belgian Linen canvas.


Superb Acrylic Canvas Rolls

Canvas rolls are a popular choice among artists for their versatility and convenience. Unlike pre-stretched canvas, they offer the flexibility to paint in any desired size and stretch the canvas later.

Additionally, working with canvas rolls makes it more convenient to paint outdoors as they are easier to transport. Embrace the freedom and portability of acrylic canvas rolls for your artistic endeavors.

Best canvas rolls
Fredrix Canvas Roll

#4 – Fredrix Style 123 Dixie Cotton Canvas Rolls

These rolls feature a durable and textured 12 oz cotton duck canvas. Designed for large-scale projects like floorcloths or murals, this canvas offers substantial tooth and texture.

What truly sets it apart is the exceptional paint reaction it provides. With over 140 years of expertise, Fredrix ensures superior primed surfaces that can withstand the test of time. Rest assured, all Fredrix products undergo a meticulous process to deliver top-notch quality.


Top Canvas Panels for All Levels

Painting with acrylics on canvas panels offers a convenient and versatile option for artists. Canvas panels provide a firm and stable surface that is easy to work on. They are lightweight and portable, making them suitable for both studio and outdoor painting sessions. The texture of the canvas panel allows for excellent paint adhesion and brush control.

Additionally, canvas panels are available in various sizes, making them adaptable to different artistic styles and compositions. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced artist, painting with acrylics on canvas panels offers a reliable and practical solution for your artistic endeavors.

Richeson Cotton Art Panels

Richeson Cotton Art Panels – Best Choice

Ideal for artists of various disciplines, Richeson cotton art panels are a versatile choice. Their soft tooth finish makes them particularly suitable for acrylic painting. The triple-primed fabric ensures longevity by being pH neutral, safeguarding against fading and cracking caused by environmental acid chemicals. With 1/8″ thick high-density fiberboard bases, these panels provide a stable and durable surface for your artwork.


It is advisable to steer clear of certain types of canvases

Firstly, avoid using unprimed canvases, as they can make painting challenging and lead to paint cracking and peeling.

Secondly, cheap stretched canvases should be avoided due to their low-quality materials, which can cause warping and stretching over time. Opting for primed and higher-quality canvases ensures better results and longevity for your artwork.

Best practices for painting on new canvas

When working with a fresh canvas, it is advised to apply a primer before painting. Priming the canvas offers protection and enhances its workability. Gesso can be purchased from art stores or easily made at home by mixing equal parts white acrylic paint and water. Once the canvas is primed, you can begin your painting process with confidence.

Should you use gesso?

For achieving the best results in priming your canvas, we suggest using a high-quality gesso. Gesso is a specialized primer explicitly created for acrylic paint application. You can find it at various art stores or conveniently purchase it online.

Best way to store canvas paintings

To ensure the preservation of your canvas paintings, it is crucial to store them correctly. We recommend placing them in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight. It is advisable to store them flat rather than vertically to prevent potential warping from prolonged leaning.

Final Thoughts

To conclude, this blog post has provided insights into the ideal canvas for acrylic paint, as well as tips for using and storing your canvas paintings. We appreciate your readership and hope you found this information valuable.

Should you have any inquiries, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment. Enjoy your painting journey!