Canvas vs. Paper: Choosing the Best Surface for Your Art

by Elizabeth Ragona. © 2025 Alabama Art Supply.

Table of Contents

• Stretched Canvas: A Classic Surface for Professional Artists
• Advantages of Stretched Canvas
• Limitations of Stretched Canvas
• Canvas Panels: A Budget-Friendly Alternative to Stretched Canvas
• Advantages of Canvas Panels
• Limitations of Canvas Panels
• Making Your Selection: Canvas Panels vs. Stretched Canvas
• Art Paper and Watercolor Blocks: Versatile Surfaces for Every Medium
• Advantages of Art Paper and Watercolor Blocks
• Consider the Framing Costs for Large Paper Art Pieces
• Limitations of Art Paper and Watercolor Blocks
• Making Your Selection: Paper vs. Canvas
• Choosing the Best Surface for Your Art
• Practice Exercises
• Final Thoughts: Which One is Right for You?

Introduction 

Every great artwork starts with the right foundation. The surface you choose affects how your paint behaves, how colors blend, and even how long your work lasts. Whether you're working with acrylics, oils, watercolors, or pastels, picking the right canvas, board, or paper can make painting easier, prevent frustration, and help your artwork look its best.

But with so many options—stretched canvas, canvas boards, art paper, and watercolor blocks—how do you know which one is right for you?

This guide will help you understand the key differences, avoid common mistakes, and choose the best Strathmore® surface based on your medium, budget, and framing needs—so you can focus on creating art instead of struggling with the wrong materials.

Stretched Canvas: A Classic Surface for Professional Artists

Stretched canvas has been a go-to surface for painters for centuries. Made by stretching primed fabric over a wooden frame (called stretcher bars), it provides a durable, flexible surface that is well-suited for acrylics, oils, and mixed media techniques. Artists love stretched canvas for its depth, professional appearance, and long-lasting quality.

Let’s take a deep dive into why stretched canvas remains one of the most popular surfaces for painting and how it compares to other options like canvas panels.

What is Stretched Canvas?

A stretched canvas consists of cotton or linen fabric that is pulled tight over a wooden frame and stapled or tacked in place. Most stretched canvases are pre-primed with acrylic gesso, making them ready to paint on right away.

Key Features of Strathmore® Stretched Canvas:

✅ Comes in a variety of sizes, from small to large-scale painting
✅ Comes in rectangles, circles, and a variety of special shapes
✅ Has a flexible, slightly bouncy surface for expressive brushwork
✅ Durable and built to last for decades if stored properly
✅ Offers depth with edge thickness ranging from ¾" to 1⅜"
✅ Can be displayed without a frame (gallery-wrapped edges)

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Advantages of Stretched Canvas

✅ Professional, Gallery-Ready Appearance

• One of the biggest benefits of stretched canvas is its depth and presentation. The edges can be painted for a finished look without the need for framing.

• Artists can choose Strathmore® stretched canvases in standard (¾" thick) and deep edge (1.5" to 1⅜" thick) depths, depending on whether they want a traditional framed look or a modern, frameless style.

💡 Why it Matters: Many collectors, galleries, and professional artists prefer stretched canvas because it looks more polished and display-ready compared to canvas panels.

✅ Flexible, Responsive Surface for Brushwork

• Stretched canvas has a slight spring or bounce when applying pressure, which makes brushstrokes feel more fluid.

• This bounciness helps with blending, layering, and glazing—especially for oil painters who like smooth transitions.

• It also allows for techniques like impasto (thick, textured paint applications) because the fabric surface can handle heavy paint.

💡 Best for: Artists who enjoy expressive, painterly brushwork and layering techniques.

✅ Durable and Long-Lasting

• A well-prepared stretched canvas can last for centuries, especially if it’s primed and properly stored.

• Unlike paper, which is prone to warping and deterioration, canvas is more resistant to moisture and aging.

• Linen canvas (a higher-end option) is even more durable than cotton and is often preferred by professional oil painters because the smaller threads provide a surface that is smoother than cotton canvas. We carry Fredrix linen canvases and canvas panels in our Birmingham store. Please call us at 205-322-4741 to check availability.

💡 Why it Matters: If you want to create artwork that stands the test of time, stretched canvas is a great investment.

✅ Available in a Wide Range of Sizes

• Strathmore® stretched canvases come in a vast range of sizes, from small 5x5” to 36"x48". We also carry huge Fredrix stretched canvases as large as 72"x96” canvases for large-scale works. Alabama Art Supply can create even larger stretched canvases with custom stretcher bars. Give us a call at 205-322-4741 and make an appointment with the framer!

• Unlike canvas panels, which can warp over time (especially in humid conditions), stretched canvas holds its shape well, even for very large paintings.

💡 Best for: Artists working on large statement pieces that need a stable, high-quality surface.

✅ Customizable Surface & Preparation

• Strathmore® stretched canvas comes pre-primed, but some artists prefer to add additional layers of gesso for a smoother or more absorbent surface.

• Some artists sand the gesso between layers to achieve an ultra-smooth finish for fine details.

• Other artists prefer a raw, unprimed canvas for its ability to absorb more paint and create a unique textural effect. However, oil paint can deteriorate unprimed canvas over time. To achieve the look of raw canvas while protecting the surface, artists can apply a layer of clear gesso, which preserves the fabric while maintaining its natural appearance.

💡 Best for: Artists who want full control over their painting surface.

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Limitations of Stretched Canvas

❌ More Expensive Than Canvas Panels

• Stretched canvas tends to be more expensive than canvas panels or paper because of the materials, construction, and durability.

• Higher-end linen canvases can be even pricier than cotton.

💡 Pro Tip: Take advantage of sales at Alabama Art Supply (like this week's 60% OFF Strathmore Canvas & Canvas panels) to stock up! Ken's Club members also get 50% OFF Stretched Canvas EVERY DAY! Click here to join the CLUB!

❌ Less Portable & Harder to Store

• Unlike flat canvas panels, stretched canvases take up more space and are harder to stack for storage.

• The wooden stretcher bars add bulk and weight, which can make transporting multiple canvases challenging.

💡 Best for: Artists working in a home studio or gallery rather than those who need a compact, travel-friendly surface.

❌ Prone to Loosening or Sagging Over Time

• Over time, stretched canvas may loosen or sag, but the best way to fix this is by using canvas keys—small wooden wedges inserted into the corners of the stretcher bars to restore tension. BEST Corner Keys by Richeson are a particularly sturdy option for long-term support.

• ⛔ While some artists suggest lightly misting the back of the canvas with water, this method should only be a last resort. If the type of paint or surface material is unknown, moisture could cause damage, warping, or unwanted texture changes. For the safest and most effective fix, always try corner keys first.

💡 Best Practice: Store canvases flat or upright in a dry space to prevent warping.

How to fit Wooden Canvas Wedges

The canvas tension of any stretched and primed canvas should be suitable for painting on without the use of the wedges.

But after a period of time either after or during painting, the tension of the canvas could become loose. If this occurs, the tension can be regained by fitting the canvas wedges that come with most canvases. Here’s how to do it:

1. Insert the wedges by hand into the corner slots, in the orientation shown.
2. Place pieces of card between the stretchers and the canvas in each corner. This protects the canvas from any accidental contact during wedge fitting.
3. Stand the canvas upright.
4. Using a small hammer, knock the wedges upwards into the slots while supporting the canvas with your free hand.
5. Always use the wedges to move one stretcher at a time, thus keeping the canvas square.
6. Rotate the canvas and continue to knock the remaining wedges with the hammer until the desired tension is reached.

Canvas Panels: A Budget-Friendly Alternative to Stretched Canvas

Canvas panels (or canvas panels) provide an affordable, space-saving option for artists who want the texture of canvas without the bulk of stretcher bars. These boards are pre-mounted canvas surfaces attached to a rigid backing usually made of cardboard, wood, or MDF (medium-density fiberboard), making them ideal for students, beginners, and artists who prefer a compact format.

Advantages of Canvas Panels

✅ Compact and Easy to Store

• Since they are flat and don’t have the bulky wooden stretcher bars like stretched canvases, canvas panels are much easier to stack and store.

• Ideal for artists who work in small spaces or need to transport multiple pieces without taking up too much room.

• Great for plein air (outdoor) painting because they’re lightweight and durable.

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✅ Affordable Alternative to Stretched Canvas

• Canvas panels are typically cheaper than stretched canvas, making them great for students, beginners, and artists who want to experiment without a big investment.

• Strathmore Canvas Panels are available in a variety of sizes, so artists can stock up on multiple panels without breaking the bank. We also carry Fredrix and Winsor & Newton Canvas Panels that are available in larger sizes. Please contact our Birmingham Store at 205-322-4741 for availability. 

✅ Rigid Surface for Painting

• Unlike paper or loose canvas sheets, canvas panels don’t buckle or warp when applying thick layers of acrylic or oil paint.

• Provides a stable surface for painting with heavy brushstrokes, palette knives, or mixed media techniques.

✅ Cost & Framing Considerations

• Lower Material Cost for the Artist – Canvas panels are cheaper than stretched canvas, making them a great choice for studies, practice pieces, or smaller works.

• Framing Costs for the Client – If the canvas panel has a cardboard backing, we recommend framing it behind glass, similar to paper-based artwork, to prevent moisture absorption and warping. Since canvas panels are available in standard sizes, they fit easily into ready-made picture frames or can be custom-framed for a more refined presentation. Remember that the art surface should not touch the framing glass. So mats or spacers are necessary when framing the art. Please contact the framer at Alabama Art Supply for assistance framing your canvas panels.

• Custom Framing Options at Alabama Art Supply – Our frame shop offers a variety of widths, depths, and colors to complement different painting styles. For acrylic, gouache, watercolor, or pastel paintings, framing behind UV-protective glass can help prevent fading. However, oil paintings should never be framed behind glass, as it can trap moisture and damage the paint over time.

💡 Tip: If you want an affordable, easy-to-frame surface that still has the feel of canvas, canvas panels are an excellent choice!

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Limitations of Canvas Panels

❌ No Depth or Dimensional Look

• One of the biggest differences between canvas panels and stretched canvas is that canvas panels don’t have depth—they lay flat against the wall. 

• Canvas panels require framing for the best presentation. With a wide variety of frame styles and depths available, you can choose one that complements your artwork’s style, color palette, and the space where it will be displayed.

• Stretched canvas has side edges (typically ¾" to 2.25" thick), which allows artists to paint around the edges for a gallery-wrapped look (where no frame is needed).

❌ Less Durable for Long-Term Use

• Over time, cheap canvas panels may warp slightly, especially if exposed to moisture. Higher-quality versions with wood or MDF backing hold up better.

• Stretched canvas can be re-stretched or re-used, while canvas panels are permanent once painted on.

❌ Not Ideal for Large Paintings

• Canvas panels work well for small to medium-sized paintings, but for large-scale work (24x36" and bigger), stretched canvas is a better option for stability.
  

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Making Your Selection: Canvas Panels vs. Stretched Canvas

Both surfaces have their strengths! Canvas panels are an excellent choice for affordability, storage, and framing, while stretched canvas is ideal for larger, long-term, or gallery-ready pieces. Artists often keep both in their studio, using canvas panels for studies, quick paintings, or travel, and saving stretched canvas for their most polished work.

Both stretched canvas and canvas panels are excellent surfaces for painting, but they serve different purposes.

Feature	Stretched Canvas	Canvas Panels
Best For	Acrylic, Oil, Mixed Media	Acrylic, Oil, Gouache, Studies
Surface Feel	Bouncy, flexible	Rigid, firm
Framing	Can be displayed without a frame	Needs a traditional frame
Durability	Long-lasting, professional	More affordable, can warp over time
Portability	Bulkier, harder to store	Lightweight, great for travel
Cost	More expensive	More affordable

When to Choose Stretched Canvas Over Canvas Panels

✔ You want a professional, gallery-ready look without framing.
✔ You enjoy expressive brushwork, blending, and layering.
✔ You're working on a large-scale piece that requires extra support.
✔ You want your painting to last for decades.
✔ You prefer a flexible, responsive painting experience.

When to Choose Canvas Panels Over Stretched Canvas

✔ You need an affordable, easy-to-store surface for practice or studies.
✔ You want a rigid, warp-resistant surface for detailed acrylic or oil painting.
✔ You plan to frame your artwork in a traditional frame.
✔ You’re working on a small piece that doesn’t need deep edges.

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Art Paper & Watercolor Blocks: Versatile Surfaces for Every Medium

While canvas is a go-to surface for painting, many artists prefer art paper and watercolor blocks for their affordability, portability, and versatility across different media.

Paper is primarily made from plant fibers, most commonly cotton or wood, but it can also be derived from rice, straw, flax, and hemp. Like all natural materials, paper is susceptible to aging and deterioration over time. Exposure to light, heat, humidity, and airborne pollutants can accelerate this process, making longevity an important consideration for artists. To ensure durability and archival quality, look for paper labeled cotton rag, alpha cellulose, or lignin-free, as these materials resist yellowing and degradation over time.

Paper is lightweight, portable, and perfect for a wide range of media, from watercolor and ink to pastels, and even acrylic or oil painting (with the right paper type). Watercolor blocks eliminate the need for taping down paper, keeping sheets flat while painting.

Your choice of paper can be customized to suit your artistic needs. It comes in a range of surface textures, from smooth (like hot-press watercolor or Bristol plate) to moderately textured (such as cold-press watercolor or pastel paper) to highly textured (like rough watercolor paper). Paper is also available in a variety of colors, sizes, and shapes—including rectangles, squares, and circles—and can be easily cut to achieve the exact dimensions and format you envision for your artwork.

Let’s explore why paper, watercolor blocks, and painting pads remain essential tools for artists and how they compare to canvas-based surfaces.

What is Art Paper & Watercolor Blocks?

Unlike canvas, which is a fabric-based surface, art paper is made from cotton, wood pulp, or a blend of materials that affect its absorbency, texture, and durability.

• Art paper comes in loose sheets, spiral-bound books, and glued pads for a variety of media, including graphite and colored pencils, pastels, charcoals, markers, as well as watercolor, acrylic, and oil paint.

• Watercolor blocks are pads of watercolor paper bound on all four sides to keep the sheet flat while painting, preventing warping and buckling.

Key Features of Art Paper & Watercolor Blocks

✅ Available in different textures: hot press (smooth), cold press (slightly textured), and rough (highly textured)
✅ Lightweight and easy to store, carry, and travel with
✅ Affordable compared to canvas, making it ideal for studies and practice pieces
✅ Designed for specific media, including acrylic and oil painting pads

For more information about Art Paper, read the Studio Notes Art Blog "A Comprehensive Guide to Art Paper."

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Advantages of Art Paper & Watercolor Blocks

✅ Designed for Specific Mediums

Unlike canvas, which is best suited for acrylic and oil, art paper is available in specialized varieties tailored for different mediums including graphite and colored pencil, pastel, charcoal, marker, and calligraphy ink, as well watercolor, oil and acrylic paint..

• Watercolor Paper – Absorbs water without warping, available in pads or blocks.

• Mixed Media Paper – Versatile enough for dry media, light washes, and some acrylic applications.

• Bristol Paper – Smooth surface, perfect for pen & ink, markers, and precise line work.

• Pastel & Charcoal Paper – Textured to hold dry pigments and allow for blending.

• Acrylic Paper – Made with a durable, canvas-textured surface that mimics the feel of painting on canvas while providing the convenience of paper. Designed to hold acrylic paint without warping or absorbing too much moisture. 

• Oil Paper – Specially primed to accept oil paints without needing extra gesso. Unlike regular paper, it resists oil absorption, ensuring vibrant colors and longevity.

💡 Choosing Tip: If you're using watery or fluid media, go with watercolor blocks. If you're working with acrylic or oil but prefer paper, choose acrylic or oil painting sheets or pads for the best results. Alabama Art Supply carries Oil Paper by Arches and Strathmore, and Acrylic Paper by Strathmore.

✅ Portable & Space-Saving

• Art paper and watercolor blocks are lightweight and compact, making them easy to store and transport.

• Watercolor blocks eliminate the need for taping paper down, as the glued edges hold the sheet flat while you paint.

• Acrylic and oil painting pads allow for easy practice and travel, offering the texture of canvas in a more convenient format.

💡 Best for: Artists who travel frequently, work on location, or need a lightweight alternative to canvas.

✅ Cost-Effective for Studies & Final Artwork

• High-quality paper is more affordable than canvas, making it ideal for studies, sketches, and practice pieces.

• Many professional artists use painting paper for acrylic and oil studies, as well as for finished artwork.

• Watercolor blocks prevent warping, allowing artists to paint directly on the sheet without stretching or mounting.

💡 Best for: Artists looking for a budget-friendly option without sacrificing quality.

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Consider the Framing Costs for Large Paper Art Pieces

If you plan to create large-scale artwork on paper, consider the added cost of custom framing and glazing that you will pass on to your client or when pricing your work.

✅ Cost & Framing Considerations

• Lower Initial Cost for the Artist – High-quality paper is often cheaper than canvas, making it a cost-effective choice for practice and finished work.

• Framing Costs for the Client Depend on Size – While small paper artworks are relatively affordable to frame, larger paper pieces over 32"x40" require custom framing, which can be significantly more expensive for you or your client. 

• Oversized Framing Can Get Expensive – Large works on paper need oversized frames, mats, and foam core, all of which increase costs.

• Glazing Costs – To protect oversized paper-based artworks, framing should include high-quality Tru Vue acrylic glazing instead of regular glass:

  • Lighter weight, reducing strain on oversized frames
  • Shatter-proof, UV protective, and available in large sizes
  • 📌 Pro Tip: If you paint with pastels and charcoals, we recommend Tru Vue Optium Museum Acrylic Glazing because it is static-free and won't pull the particles off the paper.

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Limitations of Art Paper & Watercolor Blocks

❌ More Fragile Than Canvas

• Unlike canvas, paper can tear, crease, or get damaged by moisture if not properly stored.

• Oil paint should only be used on specially prepared oil painting paper, as regular paper will absorb the oil and deteriorate.

💡 Best Practice: Always store finished artwork in protective sleeves, portfolios, or framed behind glass to prevent damage.

❌ Requires Framing for Display

• While stretched canvas can be displayed without a frame, art on paper requires mounting and framing to protect the artwork.

• Works best behind UV-protective glass to prevent fading from light exposure.

• If you choose to mount your art paper onto a wood panel or other hard surface in lieu of framing it behind glass, make sure to use a UV protective varnish to keep your art from fading.

💡 Best for: Artists who plan to frame their work or store it in a portfolio.

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Making Your Selection: Paper vs. Canvas

When to Choose Art Paper Over Canvas

✔ You work with watercolor, ink, pastels, acrylic, oil, or dry media.
✔ You need an affordable, travel-friendly option.
✔ You want a variety of textures to suit different styles.
✔ You plan to frame or store your artwork in a portfolio.
✔ You prefer using paper but need a surface designed for oil or acrylic paint.

When Canvas Might Be the Better Choice

✔ You work with heavy-bodied acrylic or oil paint and prefer a firmer surface.
✔ You want a long-lasting, gallery-ready surface.
✔ You prefer the bouncy feel of stretched canvas.
✔ You don’t want to frame your work behind glass.

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Choosing the Best Surface for Your Art

Texture & Absorbency: How Canvas vs. Paper Affects Brushstrokes and Blending

The texture (or “tooth”) of a surface affects how paint grips, spreads, and layers.

Canvas & Canvas Panels

• Canvas has a noticeable texture, usually made from cotton or linen and coated with gesso, which prevents paint from soaking through the fabric.

• The weave of the canvas affects how paint sits on the surface—rougher textures allow for visible brushstrokes, while finer weaves are better for detail work.

• Acrylic and oil paints work well on canvas because they sit on the surface without being overly absorbed, allowing for blending and layering.

Paper & Watercolor Blocks

• Paper has a smoother or slightly textured surface, depending on the type (hot-press, cold-press, or rough).

• Watercolor paper and mixed media pads are designed to absorb water-based paints, preventing warping and allowing for delicate washes and glazing.

• Bristol paper and sketch pads have little to no texture, making them ideal for ink, graphite, and smooth paint applications.

💡 Choosing Tip: If you prefer strong brushstroke textures, go for canvas. If you want to work with delicate washes or fine details, paper is your best bet.

Medium Compatibility: Which Surfaces Work Best for Acrylics, Oils, Watercolors, and More?

Not all surfaces handle paint the same way. Here's a breakdown of which surfaces work best for different mediums:

Best for Canvas & Canvas Panels:

✅ Acrylic Paint – Canvas allows acrylics to maintain vibrancy and blend well without soaking in too much.
✅ Oil Paint – Canvas holds oil paint well and supports thick applications like impasto.
✅ Heavy Mixed Media – Canvas can handle collage elements and thick texture applications.

Best for Paper & Watercolor Blocks:

✅ Watercolor Paint – Watercolor paper is specially designed to absorb water and pigment without warping.
✅ Ink & Markers – Paper with little or no texture such as Smooth Bristol, Marker, or Mixed Media paper prevents bleeding and feathering.
✅ Pastels & Charcoal – Textured pastel paper or mixed media pads allow for layering and blending.

💡 Choosing Tip: If you're working with heavy-bodied paints (acrylic, oil), canvas is best. If you're using water-based or dry media (watercolor, ink, pastels, charcoal), paper is the way to go. However, Strathmore also makes paper that can be used for oil and acrylic paint, and soft pastels, oil pastels, and charcoal can be used on canvas. Just make sure to use a fixative or varnish to protect the artwork from flaking.

Durability & Framing: How to Present and Preserve Your Artwork

Canvas & Canvas Panels

• Stretched canvas is durable and doesn’t require framing under glass. Many artists display canvases without a frame or use a simple floater frame.

• Canvas panels don’t have the depth of stretched canvas and are easier to store and frame but don’t have the depth of stretched canvas.

Paper & Watercolor Blocks

• Paper is more fragile than canvas, and artwork usually needs to be mounted, matted, or framed behind glass for protection.

• Watercolor blocks (pads with glued edges) prevent warping while painting, keeping the paper flat.

💡 Choosing Tip: If you want a ready-to-hang piece, go for canvas. If you prefer to work on smaller, framable pieces, paper is better.

👉 Artists selling large works on paper should factor in the added cost of custom framing and acrylic glazing when pricing their artwork!

Cost & Framing Summary

Surface Type	Material Cost for Artist	Framing Cost for Client
Stretched Canvas	Higher upfront cost, but no required framing	Can be displayed as-is or framed without glass
Canvas Panels	Budget-friendly, compact	Requires framing but fits into standard frames
Art Paper & Watercolor Blocks	Lowest material cost	Smaller works are affordable to frame, but large pieces require expensive custom framing, oversized mats, and acrylic glazing

 

Portability & Cost: Why Some Artists Choose One Over the Other

Canvas & Canvas Panels

• Canvas is more expensive than paper, especially high-quality stretched canvas.

• Canvas panels are a budget-friendly alternative, offering the texture of canvas in a thinner, easy-to-store format.

• Less portable – Large canvases are harder to carry and transport.

Paper & Watercolor Blocks

• More affordable – High-quality paper is often cheaper than canvas, making it great for experimentation and practice.

• Highly portable – Art pads and watercolor blocks are easy to carry, making them ideal for plein air (outdoor) painting and travel.

💡 Choosing Tip: If you need an affordable, travel-friendly option, paper wins. If you want a professional, long-lasting painting, canvas is the better investment.

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Practice Exercises: Experimenting with Canvas & Paper

🖌 Not sure which surface is right for you? Try these simple exercises to see how different materials affect your artwork!

1️⃣ Brushstroke & Blending Test (Canvas vs. Paper)

🎨 Goal: Compare how paint behaves on different surfaces.
✅ Materials: Acrylic or oil paint, one stretched canvas and one acrylic/oil paper pad.
🔹 Exercise:

• Paint a solid stroke on each surface and observe how the paint glides.
• Try blending two colors—see how long you can work with the paint before it sets.
• Compare texture and absorbency between the two surfaces.

💡 Takeaway: Do you prefer the smoother feel of paper or the bouncier texture of canvas?

2️⃣ Watercolor Absorption Test (Watercolor Block vs. Mixed Media Paper)

🖌 Goal: See how different types of paper absorb water and pigment.
✅ Materials: Watercolor paint, a watercolor block, and a mixed media pad.
🔹 Exercise:

• Create a wet-on-wet wash (wet the paper first, then add pigment).
• Try lifting paint with a paper towel—does one surface allow for easier corrections?
• Test how each paper reacts when you layer multiple washes.

💡 Takeaway: Which paper holds up better under heavy washes? Does one allow for finer details?

3️⃣ Fine Detail Challenge (Hot Press Paper vs. Cold Press Paper)

✍️ Goal: Compare how different paper textures affect detail work.
✅ Materials: Ink, watercolor, or colored pencils; hot press watercolor paper and cold press watercolor paper.
🔹 Exercise:

• Draw or paint a small, detailed object (like an eye or a leaf) on each surface.
• Compare line crispness, blending, and control.
• Does the smoother paper make it easier to get sharp details? Does the textured paper hold color differently?

💡 Takeaway: If you like fine details, hot press might be the better choice!

4️⃣ Impasto & Texture Test (Canvas vs. Canvas Board)

🔹 Goal: See how thick applications of paint interact with different surfaces.
✅ Materials: Acrylic or oil paint, a palette knife, stretched canvas, and a canvas board.
🔹 Exercise:

• Use a palette knife to apply thick strokes of paint on both surfaces.
• Test scraping and layering techniques—does one surface hold up better?
• Compare how the texture and depth of the canvas affect the final result.

💡 Takeaway: Does the firmer canvas board work better for fine details, or do you prefer the flexible feel of stretched canvas?

🎨 Want to share your findings? Post your test pieces and tag us at @AlabamaArtSupply with #YourArtStore!

Final Thoughts: Which One is Right for You?

Both canvas and paper have unique benefits depending on your artistic needs. Here’s a quick summary to help you decide:

Feature	Art Paper & Watercolor Blocks	Canvas & Canvas Panels
Best For	Watercolor, Ink, Pastels, Dry Media; (and Acrylic and Oil with specially primed paper.)	Acrylic, Oil, Heavy Mixed Media
Texture	Smooth (hot press) to highly textured (rough)	Textured (cotton/linen weave)
Framing	Requires matting and framing	Canvas panels require framing; stretched canvas can be displayed as-is
Durability	More fragile, can tear or crease	More durable, long-lasting
Portability	Lightweight, easy to travel with	Bulkier, harder to transport
Cost	More affordable	More expensive

 

Pro's and Con's

Surface	Best For	Pros	Cons
Stretched Canvas	Acrylic, Oil, Heavy Mixed Media	Durable, professional look, no need for glass framing	Higher cost, bulkier to store
Canvas Boards	Acrylic, Oil, Gouache	Affordable, easy to frame, compact	May warp (if cardboard-backed), requires framing
Watercolor Paper	Watercolor, Ink, Pastels	Portable, cost-effective, multiple textures	Needs framing, large sizes can be expensive
Acrylic/Oil Paper Pads	Acrylic, Oil	Canvas texture with paper convenience	Less durable than stretched canvas

 

The right choice comes down to your artistic style, preferred medium, and creative goals. Whether you need the durability of canvas, the flexibility of paper, or the affordability of canvas boards, understanding how each surface interacts with your materials will help you achieve the best results.

The best way to find what works for you? Experiment! Try different surfaces, explore new techniques, and see how they influence your process. With our biggest sale of the year on Strathmore canvas and paper, now is the perfect time to stock up and find your perfect match!

Shop for Strathmore Products Now 🎨✨

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🎨 Now’s the Best Time to Stock Up!

During the Week of March 10-15, 2025, Strathmore Canvas & Canvas Panels will 60% OFF and Art Pads & Watercolor Blocks will be 50% OFF. Now is the perfect time to try different surfaces and expand your creative possibilities.

👉 Shop Now & Save!

 

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