As you get better at painting, you’ll learn that canvas type matters. Not all canvases are built alike, and intermediate painters have good reason to avoid buying cheaper canvases.

Good canvas isn’t just for elitist painters. Beginner painters will notice a difference between types of canvas. Some cheaper canvas types absorb paints in a funny way, leading to poor results.

Other canvas types soak up paint, forcing you to use more paint than you otherwise should – which means the $0.40 you saved buying a cheaper canvas isn’t worth it.

Which canvas type is the best for beginner and intermediate painters? How can you choose the perfect canvas? Today, we’re explaining everything you need to know about choosing the right canvas as a beginner or intermediate painter.

Arteza Stretched White Canvas

Arteza is one of the best-known canvas types available today. Popular among hobbyist and student painters, Arteza offers high-quality stretched canvas suitable for beginners, intermediates, and experts.

You can buy Arteza’s Stretched Canvases in a variety of dimensions. Whatever size you buy, Arteza’s Stretched Canvases are made from 100% cotton and primed with acrylic, acid-free gesso.

Don’t believe us? That’s okay. Arteza has a 100% refund policy for any disappointed painters.

Overall, expect a smooth and easy painting experience when using Arteza’s Stretched Canvases. Many painters also enjoy the light, springy feel that Arteza Stretched Canvases provide underneath your brush. The only drawback to Arteza Stretched Canvases? The texture may be slightly too rough for some painters.

Danice Stretched Canvas

Danice Stretched Canvas is another popular canvas type for all types of painters. If Arteza’s Stretched Canvases are too rough for you, then the Danice Stretched Canvas may give you a smoother but toothier surface, helping you get more control over your painting compared to cheaper canvases.

The key selling feature of Danice Stretched Canvas is the double-primed acrylic coating. This makes Danice Stretched Canvas ideal for artists looking for a great surface for acrylics.

Other canvases in this price range don’t provide wood stretcher keys, but Danice Stretched Canvas comes with them, allowing you to tighten the canvas based on your desired level of firmness. With 55+ years of experience serving the painting community, Danice’s Stretched Canvas are ideal for all types of painters.

Blick Premiere Canvas

Blick is another well-known name in the painting space, offering some of the best prices on painting supplies online. While some painters shy away from Blick’s house brand of art supplies, many find them to be surprisingly comparable to better-rated brands.

Blick’s Premiere Cotton Canvas products are affordable but have a professional feel. You get an artist-grade surface at a reasonable price.

The secret to Blick’s quality feel? The canvas is made from hand-woven fabric (cotton from India), making the canvas particularly effective for acrylic paint and brush work. Blick Premiere canvases are also triple-primed to give better surface tooth.

Blick also offers three depth options, including 0.875”, 1.5”, and 2.375”, making it easy to select what you like for display. Expect straight and sharp corners and handmade quality at a surprisingly reasonable price.

Masterpiece Artist Canvas – Monet Pro

While some artists shy away from brands that awkwardly use the names of famous artists, the Masterpiece Artist Canvas – Monet Pro lineup is a well-rated exception. Masterpiece Artist Canvas is part of the Monet Pro line. Although it’s not as cheap as other canvases listed here, you get 100% cotton woven canvas combined with a double primed coating to give you a portrait smooth surface.

Many artists love the Masterpiece Artist Canvas because of the tooth, making the fabric receptive to both acrylic and brush and allowing you to have total and complete control.

And, for environmentally conscious artists, the Masterpiece Artist Canvas is made from 100% sustainably-sourced wood to prevent long-term environmental impact.

Ultimately, if you’re willing to splurge on a higher-quality fabric, then you should not be disappointed with the Masterpiece Artist Canvas under the Monet Pro line.

Conda Artist Stretched Canvas

Conda’s Artist Stretched Canvases are ideal for beginners, making it easy for new painters to test their acrylics on a surface without investing a significant amount into canvas.

While more professional artists might shy away from Conda, beginner artists are unlikely to notice the difference. It’s like a cheaper but similar version of the Darice Stretched Canvas, and the Conda Artist Stretched Canvas even comes with wooden wedges to adjust tension.

Ultimately, you’re not going to find cheaper canvas types than Conda’s Artist Stretched Canvas’s $1.50 price tag – but that doesn’t mean compromising on quality to get there.

Winsor Newton Artists Quality Stretched Canvas

Winsor & Newton is a well-known brand among intermediate and professional artists. Like other high-end canvases here, the Winsor & Newton canvas is triple coated with acid-free sizing and two coats of primers, giving you an artificial tooth for effective stroke gripping.

Each canvas is individually shrink-wrapped, making you feel extra special when taking the canvas out of the bag.

Artists also enjoy the exceptionally tight winding, handmade quality, and 7 size types. It may not pass muster for the highest-grade artists (the frame is thinner than competing brands), although some use it for professional purposes – and it’s ideal for students looking to take their work to the next level.

Final Word: Sign Up for a Paint and Sip Live Class, Receive a Beginner Painting Kit

With Paint and Sip Live, we ship everything to your address in days. If you’re a beginner painter with no painting supplies at home, then our beginner kits take you from zero to hero, giving you everything you need to start painting effectively.

If you’re an intermediate painter or if you already have supplies at home, you can sign up for our live painting classes immediately.

Sign up for one of our live painting classes today. Get an in-person painting class experience – delivered virtually to you and your friends.

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