A horizontal line on blank canvas can send the artistic mind on an epic journey of creation.  The blank canvas can be the painter’s best friend or worst enemy.  In some cases, the blank canvas can simultaneously encourage and antagonize the artist that seeks to alter its surface.  How the canvas is used to tell a story is up to the willing mind and creative spirit, unafraid to let their ideas metamorphose and project themselves with urgent force.

The painter’s canvas can be made from varying types of fibers that act as the perfect surface for oil and acrylic paints.  The most common types of blank canvas for painting are cotton and linen.  There are important differences between the two materials that may affect the end result of an artist’s vision, although both are wildly popular.

In this article, you will learn about the cotton canvas.

Here are a few key facts about blank canvas for the curious artist!

DID YOU KNOW?

• According to eHow Contributor Carlos Mano, “The word ‘canvas’ has come to mean any durable, simply woven fabric made of natural fibers.”
  
• Cotton canvas was commonly called “cotton duck” in from 1900 to 1940.  Although the tightly woven cotton duck was not made of actual duck feathers but of long durable linen cloth, it was as light as one and offered a sturdy and affordable alternative to the traditional hemp based canvases that were popular at the time.
• In the early development of canvas for paintings, it was discovered that oil paints could actually rot canvas fibers!  To prevent the deterioration of artwork, a coat of gesso became the best applicable technique for all canvas.  The substance prevents the oil paints from destroying the canvas fibers.  An acrylic version of gesso is available for the organic artist.
• Cotton comes from the cotton plant!

 

THE BLANK CANVAS IS AVAILABLE FOR YOUR CREATIVE SPIRIT
Both cotton and linen canvases are available at art supply stores and wholesalers, and general craft and hobby stores. For the best value, try an online art supplier that will offer you hand-stretched and customized canvas options. There’s no better feeling than that of having a custom blank canvas, big enough for the grand scheme of your creative idea with a small price that fits your budget.

Although it is a highly sought after material, custom and hand-stretched canvas can be costly for amateur and professional artists.  With endless surface options for artists, canvas is by and large the most popular surface to paint on.  The coarse raised texture lends character and dimension to any piece of artwork.  Somehow, the marriage of a paintbrush covered in a thick layer of pigmented oils and a blank canvas delivers some of the most striking, thought-provoking artwork.  It is no wonder that artists prefer canvas as a surface material over all others.

Oftentimes, professional artists and art students create their masterpieces with makeshift tools and art supplies.  These tools quickly become staples of the artist’s toolbox.  This do-it-yourself technique often blends into the creation of hand-stretched canvas.  Although cost effective for some, the process of stretching canvas can be time consuming.

To Make Hand-Stretch Canvas, you will need the following materials:

• Sheets of Canvas
• Stretcher Bars (4)
• Staple Gun & a box of staples
• Canvas Pliers
• A little know-how and determination!

Even with the character building strength of the canvas, what is an amateur artist to do without the knowledge of how to make their own hand-stretched canvas?  What if there is very little time between learning how to stretch canvas and the birth of an idea that must be painted urgently?  Where can the humble artist purchase high-quality hand-stretched canvas for an affordable price?  This is a common concern for members of the Arts community.

It is important to find and develop a beneficial relationship with an art supply company that understands this complex need for quality, customization, and economic efficiency.  With many high dollar options available at the traditional art supply store, it’s about time a reasonable online option should come along.  With the ease of ordering online and the ability to make specific dimension requests, getting the canvas required to make the perfect art piece should be effortless!

An online store that is growing in popularity for its attention to detail and affordability is CanvasLot.com.  Based in Austin, Texas, CanvasLot.com is an online art supply company that specializes in custom-made hand-stretched canvas.  Aiding all levels of professional artists, CanvasLot.com delivers wholesale.  From amateurs to professional fine artists, novice art students to seasoned professors, and the occasional dabbler to the well-versed enthusiast CanvasLot.com has a canvas for every taste and skill level.

Learn more about hand-stretched canvas and online art supply company CanvasLot by visiting the official website: www.CanvasLot.com