How to choose a canvas for painting — dimensions, material and practical tips
Choosing a canvas is as much a starting point in an artist's life as an architect's first drawing. It seems like a simple material — but it is precisely here that the character, texture, color, dynamics, and duration of the entire painting begin.
Those who come into contact with canvas for the first time often find themselves in a bureaucratic absurdity: the choice is so vast that it is difficult to understand the difference between cotton, linen, or blend; why are some canvases pre-primed and others not; what does grain mean, why is the canvas on a roll, on a frame, or even on a cardboard panel...
This article will help you choose a canvas whether you are painting with acrylics, oils, gouache, watercolor, working with texture, or just taking your first steps.
What parameters determine the choice of canvas?
The choice of canvas depends on four main factors:
- Material
- Texture/grain
- Primer (gesso – coating)
- Size and format
If you understand these four clearly, 80% of the decision is already made.
1. Canvas material — Cotton, Linen or Synthetic?
The material of the canvas is the foundation that gives life to your painting.
The canvas is most often made from three materials:
Cotton
The majority of Georgian artists begin their work with cotton canvas.
The reason is simple:
• Cheap
• Soft and elastic
• Ideal for acrylic paints
• The most beginner-friendly choice
Who is it for?
— Beginners
— Acrylic painters
— Those who draw often and quickly
When do we choose it?
If you want an economical canvas, with good quality and no complicated maintenance, cotton is the best.
👉 Mont Marte Cotton Canvas (pre-primed) – a great option for standard projects or you can purchase by the meter at the art supplies store in Lumino.
Linen (linen, flax fiber)
Linen is the "elite of canvases."
Its structure is denser, the grains are uniform, and the canvas itself is stronger.
Advantages:
• Very durable
• The color “sits” differently on the surface
• Professional texture control
• Ideal for oil paints
Who is it for?
— Professional artists
— Oil equipment workers
— Those who create works for sale or for a gallery
👉 Premium quality 100% canvas can only be purchased by the meter at the art supplies store Lumino.
Synthetic (polyester/synthetic fabric)
Synthetic canvases have become popular in recent years.
Their main plus is:
- Very straight, even surface
- Does not shrink due to humidity
- Cheap and practical
- Does not attract rodents, worms and other parasites.
Who is it for?
— Acrylic painters
— Fast, large format workers
— Those who need a budget-friendly but high-quality canvas
👉 Synthetic polyester canvas is relatively difficult to find, although it can be purchased by the yard.
2. Canvas Texture / Grain — Smooth, Medium, Rough
The surface of the canvas can be smooth, medium-grained or rough.
Smooth
Ideal for:
• For detailed drawings
• For portraits
• For liner and thin brush
Medium Grain
This is the most popular type of life balance in Georgia.
Ideal for:
• For acrylic
• For general equipment
• For minimal texture control
👉 Mont Marte Gallery Series – medium grain.
Rough
Used when you want a strong texture, brush movement, thick paint.
👉 Very good Pebeo rough canvases.
3. Primer (Gesso) — Why it matters
Canvas without a ground is just fabric.
After priming, the canvas becomes ready for painting, which brings the colors to life.
The canvas can be:
• Pre-primed — already primed with white, black or transparent primer.
• Unprimed — without primer (fabric only)
Pre-primed
The most practical option.
The gesso has been applied multiple times at the factory, and the surface is even.
👉 Mont Marte Double Primed Canvas.
Unprimed (without primer)
They choose those who create a unique texture or prepare the canvas with their own strategy.
👉 Mont Marte Gesso – the ideal coating for do-it-yourself priming.
4. Canvas dimensions - what dimensions should we choose?
Choosing a size is often more difficult than choosing a material.
Here's what to consider:
For beginners
• 20×30
• 30×40
• 40×50
These three measurements are sufficient for any first experiment.
For portraits
• 40×50
• 50×60
• 60×90
For landscapes
• 50×70
• 60×90
For abstraction
• 60×90
• 80x100
• 100x120
Large formats (for professionals)
• 100x120
• 100x150
👉 Mont Marte Large Format Canvas — with a durable frame.
Canvas panels and boards — Canvas, Canvas Board, Canvas Pad
Canvas (stretched canvas)
The most classic option.
Canvas Board (on a hard canvas board)
Schools and students often use it because:
• Cheap
• Lighter
• Easy to transport
👉 Mont Marte Canvas Panel Set – a good combination of price/quality.
Canvas Pad (canvas notebook / notepad)
For simple test drawings.
👉 Pebeo Canvas Pad – for a practical portfolio.
6 golden rules for choosing canvas
1. If you are a beginner → choose cotton + medium grain + pre-primed
2. If you are working on a texture → choose rough surface
3. If you paint with oil → linen is best
4. If you need cheap but high-quality → synthetic + pre-primed
5. If you experiment a lot → calc. Canvas boards are great
6. If you are applying gesso yourself → use unprimed cotton
Frequently Asked Questions
Which canvas should I choose for acrylic?
For acrylic, cotton or synthetic, medium grain, pre-primed is best.
Can acrylic paint be painted on oil canvas?
Yes, you can, but the texture will be denser.
Should I apply additional gesso to an already coated canvas?
If you want a smoother surface, you can apply another coat of primer to get an even layer.
Where can I buy canvases in Tbilisi?
Lumino offers Mont Marte and Pebeo canvases — from student series to professional linen.
See the full catalog → lumino.ge/collections/tilebi
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