Artist Canvases
The canvas you paint on affects everything – how the paint sits, how it builds up, and how the finished work looks and lasts. A good canvas has the right amount of texture to hold paint, a surface that responds well to your brush, and enough structure to stay stable over time.
We carry a curated selection of canvases chosen by our instructors for quality and performance across acrylic and oil painting. Everything we stock is what we actually use and recommend in the studio.
All canvases are available for in-studio pickup only. We don’t offer delivery at this time.
Stretched Canvases
A stretched canvas is the most popular and practical surface for acrylic and oil painting. The canvas is pre-stretched over a wooden frame and ready to paint on straight out of the pack – no preparation needed. The slight give of the stretched surface makes it responsive to brushwork in a way that flat surfaces aren’t, and the finished painting can be displayed without framing if the edges are painted.
Stretched canvases come in a range of sizes to suit different projects – from small studies to larger finished pieces. If you’re unsure which size to choose, a medium format is the most versatile starting point for home practice.
What Size Canvas Do You Need?
For home practice alongside your classes, a medium size – around 30×40 cm or 40×50 cm – gives you enough space to work comfortably without being overwhelming. Smaller formats are good for quick studies and colour experiments. Larger formats suit more ambitious finished pieces once you have some experience.
Your instructor can advise on the best size for the specific techniques and projects you’re currently working on – just ask at your next class.
All supplies are available for in-studio pickup. Just add to cart and collect at your next visit or get in touch to arrange a time.You’ll leave with a finished piece, a deeper understanding of the technique you worked on, and the kind of insight that’s simply not available in a regular class — because it comes directly from someone who has spent a lifetime mastering their craft.
FAQ
At this time we offer in-studio pickup only. Browse online and collect your order from the studio at a time that suits you.
No – all materials are included in every class. Our shop is for students who want to practise at home between sessions.
Yes – a canvas primed with gesso is suitable for both acrylic and oil painting. If you’re working in oil, some artists prefer to add an additional layer of oil-specific primer, but it’s not essential for most purposes.
Cotton canvas is the most commonly used and what most students work on. Linen is more expensive, more durable, and has a finer texture – preferred by some professional artists for finished work. For classes and home practice, cotton canvas is perfectly suited and what we stock.