How to choose your canvas - understanding the difference between types of canvas

Canvas is a durable and stable surface to paint on that has been used by artists for centuries, after becoming popularised during the Renaissance period. Many iconic artists have brought their vision to life on canvas, creating incredible, magnetic pieces.

From acrylic painting, oil painting, pigments and acrylic inks, to exploring and experimenting with impasto techniques, collage and expressionist works, a canvas offers the perfect base to create to your heart's content!

Only in recent years have stretched canvases become readily available, with many artists prior to its accessibility using cardboard, timber or Masonite as a support, which lack the quality and flexibility of canvas. 

With an extensive range of shapes, sizes and styles, it can be difficult to decide which canvas is best for you. Keep reading for our beginner-friendly guide to choosing and looking after your canvas, so you can start creating your very own masterpiece. 

Our two most popular ranges:

So what's the difference? Signature Vs Premium Canvas 

Mont Marte makes fantastic canvases that come in a couple of different ranges. Our two most popular ranges being the Signature range and the Premium range. The Signature range is perfect for students and beginners, or those after a budget friendly option. The Premium range is a great option for artists or those after a higher quality canvas.

Both the Signature and Premium range comes in a Single or Double Thick profile which will determine how far the canvas sticks out from the wall when hung. The single thick has a frame thickness of 18mm, and the double is 38mm - the double thick has a far more distinct and bold presence and appears to “jump out” from the environment with its thicker sides. 

The major difference between the Signature and the Premium range is in the canvas itself. Measured in ‘grams per square meter,’ the thicker the canvas, the stronger and more durable it will be, allowing for heavy technique applications. The thicker canvas also reduces the likelihood of sagging of the canvas. The Signature Single Thick range has a 280gsm Cotton Duck Canvas, the Signature Double Thick range has a 340gsm Cotton Duck Canvas, whereas the Premium range is made with 380gsm Cotton Duck Canvas.

These canvases are triple primed and ready to paint on.

Frame 

The wood used for the frame of the canvas (or “stretcher bars”) has a stronger, denser consistency in the Premium range when compared to the Signature range. Generally, stretcher bars are made using timber such as pine which is dried out multiple times in large kilns to reduce the likelihood of the timber bowing. This stronger and denser wood adds some weight to the canvas, and it also means that it is less likely to warp if exposed to moisture, sunlight, or temperature fluctuations. Warping is ultimately inevitable when working with wooden stretcher bars- this is a natural characteristic of wood, but having a thicker frame, means less chance of this happening within your lifetime! Smaller scale canvases are also less likely to warp, so for larger canvases of 60cm and over, we recommend choosing a double thick canvas to reduce the chances of warping and maximise the longevity of your artwork.

Another key feature of the Mont Marte Canvas frames is the finger joints that are used to piece together the wood frame. Rather than using one long piece of wood to construct a frame, Mont Marte pieces together strips of wood to reduce bowing and warping and create a more stable frame.

Staples

Another main difference between the Signature range and the Premium range canvases lies in the staples. The Signature range is single stapled, while the Premium range is double stapled for extra strength, meaning the canvas remains tight and sturdy. 

Cotton Vs Linen

When it comes to choosing a cotton vs a linen canvas, there are a number of factors to take into consideration. 

Cotton is a rather absorbent, cheaper alternative to linen, and has a rougher texture. Linen is by comparison, a more traditional surface, that is flexible, less absorbent, has a lovely fine texture, and is often used by Professional Artists. These textural differences definitely show when applying paint to canvas. Cotton will absorb a decent amount of paint with the first few layers, while linen offers a smooth surface from the get go, allowing paint to glide beautifully and seamlessly. To achieve a smooth linen like surface when using a cotton canvas, a layer or two of gesso on cotton before applying your paint will help reduce the canvas’s absorption. The same can be said when working with the Mont Marte Signature Range. A few initial coats of gesso will help create a similar surface to a Premium Range canvas. 

Choosing your canvas

You can tell the quality of a canvas by looking at the back of it. If the cotton is a cream colour with little speckles through it you are looking at an unbleached and fairly heavy cotton which is suitable for most painters.

If you are charging top dollar for your artwork, or it is a commission – don’t skimp on the quality of canvas you use. You don’t want to use a lighter weight canvas or lower grade stretcher.

MONT MARTE SIGNATURE CANVAS SINGLE THICK

The Mont Marte Signature Single Thick Canvas is acid free, unbleached, and features single staples holding the 280gsm Cotton Duck stretched canvas to the 18mm frame. It is triple coated with a Universal Primer, kiln dried and has gallery corners. The Signature range is perfect for students, beginners or those looking to experiment at a low price. 

MONT MARTE SIGNATURE CANVAS DOUBLE THICK

The Mont Marte Signature Double Thick Canvas is acid free, unbleached, and features single staples holding the 280gsm Cotton Duck stretched canvas to the thicker 38mm frame. It is triple coated with a Universal Primer, kiln dried and has gallery corners. Perfect for students, beginners or those looking to experiment who want a deeper, contemporary look.

MONT MARTE PREMIUM SERIES SINGLE THICK CANVAS

The Mont Marte Premium Single Thick Canvas is acid free, unbleached, and features double staples holding the 380gsm Cotton Duck stretched canvas to the 18mm frame. It is triple coated with a Universal Primer, kiln dried and has gallery corners and mitred edges. The premium range is great for seasoned and young artists alike, offering a high-quality base to project your artistic vision.

MONT MARTE PREMIUM SERIES CANVAS DOUBLE THICK

The Mont Marte Premium Double Thick Canvas is acid free, unbleached, and features double staples holding the 380gsm Cotton Duck stretched canvas to the thicker 38mm frame. It is triple coated with a Universal Primer, kiln dried and has gallery corners and mitred edges. Perfect for seasoned and young artists alike, offering a high-quality base and a deeper frame to create bold and captivating works. 
 

MONT MARTE ARTISTE 100% NATURAL LINEN CANVAS

The Mont Marte Linen range features gallery folded corners and the finest quality linen. The 100% natural linen weave offers a beautiful medium to fine textured surface that is double backed stapled for added strength. The 38mm (1.5in) deep warp-resistant frame offers a contemporary clean edge look with no further framing required. Triple coated with white universal primer and ready to be painted on, this canvas series is loved by professional artists and is suitable for use with acrylic paints and oils. 

Canvas Panels

The Mont Marte Canvas Panels are acid free and coated with acrylic primer so you can get painting on them straight out of the pack. Rather than a stretched frame, these have a strong hardened card backing that is non-flexible and is lightweight, making them great for transporting, or creating pieces such as an acrylic pour, as well as hand painted placemats or coasters. 

Caring for your Canvas- How to avoid warping

Warping can be caused by a range of factors – including the climate of the space you store your canvases, and also by any undue weight put on the stretcher frame, for example, when it is leaning against a wall.

If you are worried about the bowing and warping of your stretcher frame, particularly on a larger sized canvas, be sure you store your canvas in a room with a steady climate, and one that's preferably not too humid. Wood which is used for stretchers is a natural material, and while it has been dried, it is inevitably always going to be active and responding to its environment. 

Once your painting is finished, another way to prevent it from warping over time is to source and apply an external frame. This can also add dimension and a professional, visual appeal to your work.

If you are adamant about the canvas never warping and maintaining a rigid shape, then the only other option is to source and have your canvas stretched on an aluminium frame.

For a more in-depth learning on the different canvas types we stock, check out our YouTube video here. 

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Happy creating!