Canvas Panels, Stretched Canvas, or Paper? Choosing the Right Surface
- Katrina Rumsey
- 10 hours ago
- 4 min read
A guide to some of the most common painting and drawing surfaces.
Choosing art supplies can be overwhelming, especially when you consider the materials, price points, and purposes of each. It's easy to feel more confused than when you began your research, so here's a guide with the foundational information about canvas panels, stretched canvases, and art paper.
In this article:
Canvas Panels
Generally made from mounting a piece of canvas onto cardboard or wood, canvas panels are usually about 1/8 inch thick. Since they are very easy to make, panels tend to cost less than stretched canvases. Panels make great options for hobby artists, experimentation, and artwork that will be framed.
Due to their strength and rigidity, canvas panels hold up to heavy materials such as acrylics, oils, and mixed mediums. However, it is important to dry these evenly, as canvas panels can bend and warp with uneven moisture. Prep your panel with a few layers of gesso, and you'll have a smoother texture to paint on, a better chance at avoiding warping, and a longer lasting masterpiece that won't sink into the canvas threads.
Canvas panels can be expected to last decades, especially if stored and displayed properly. Utilizing protective varnish, museum glass, and less humid environments can largely determine whether your artwork will absorb moisture or deform.
Personally, I love using canvas panels, especially for my smaller artwork. I feel more comfortable with the rigid backing, and the 1/8 inch thickness makes it very easy to store and transport completed art.
My current favorite canvas panels:
Stretched Canvases
Stretched canvases are usually the most common type of canvas. Made by stretching canvas fabric over a wooden frame, stretched canvases are more expensive than panels due to the cost of materials, including:
canvas fabric (usually higher quality)
stretcher bars (the frame itself, which sometimes includes a horizontal piece of wood in the frame to stabilize and support larger pieces)
adhesives
staples
For the money-conscious who aren't afraid to DIY a bit, you can save a bit by learning to frame and stretch your own canvases.
Stretched canvases can range in thickness, but most commonly come in 3/4 inches, 1 1/2 inches, and 2 inches. Framing a stretched canvas is not necessary, especially with thicker artwork since the increased depth between the art and the wall creates enough perspective and distance from the wall.
Materials used on stretched canvases can vary widely. These canvases will hold up to heavy materials very well, and do not usually warp. As with canvas panels, prep work should include a few layers of gesso to ensure smooth painting, prevent your artwork from sinking into the threads, and tighten the canvas around the frame. Occasionally, a stretched canvas may need to be tightened further by inserting a wedge-shaped piece of wood called a stretcher key into the inside of the canvas corners.
Long-term, stretched canvases that are preserved correctly with varnish, moisture-free environments, and proper care should last for 100+ years. Make sure you only paint on one side of your canvas, however, to prevent moisture buildup between opposing sides of the fabric. Stretched canvases need room to breathe!
I tend to use stretched canvases in custom artwork and larger scale artwork, and love having the option to paint the sides of the canvas to match the art or act as a frame.
My favorite stretched canvases:
Art Papers
There are countless types of paper you can use in your artwork. Papers most commonly used include watercolor paper, charcoal paper, drawing paper, mixed media paper, and tracing paper. Paper is usually very cost-effective, so don't be afraid to try different types for your art.
Paper is most frequently used with lighter materials such as watercolors, gouache paint, inks, graphite, and charcoal. Your choice in paper will usually align with which material you're using, and most packages will list common uses on the front.
To prevent warping and wrinkling in your paper when using wet supplies, some types of paper may need to be stretched and/or taped onto a board or table. For example, to stretch watercolor paper, soak the paper in a sink or tub of water for about ten minutes, then use water activated packing tape to attach the paper to a board, sponging everything flat as you go. Masking tape can also work, but may not be strong enough to secure larger artwork to your board.
Expect to frame your artwork on paper to best preserve and support it long term. If stored properly, acid-free and archival-quality fine art papers can last 100+ years.
My most commonly used art papers include watercolor paper, gallery-quality printer paper, and drawing paper. In my eyes, watercolor paper's versatility just can't be beat, since it can withstand enough water to keep colors bright and is soft enough to be used with embroidery, torn paper collages, and prints.
My favorite art papers:
Remember Your Process
As you learn about new art supplies, always remember that you'll learn the most through trial and error. There are no failures, only learning opportunities, so give yourself the chance to make mistakes and evolve along the way. Nobody every gets it fully right on the first try and some of the most unique art has come from experimentation.
Let me know if you've got a favorite panel, canvas, or paper you like to use or would like to learn more about!