Canvas – Strong and Versatile Fabric

Canvas is an extremely strong and durable plain-woven fabric that is used for many different purposes.

Origin and history of the word "Canvas"

The word "Canvas" has very old roots and has evolved from many languages.

• In the 13th century, the word "Canvas" was used in Anglo-French as "Canevaz" and in Old French as "Canevas".

• Its origin is derived from the Latin word "Cannapaceus", which means "made of hemp".

• Its oldest source is the ancient Greek word "κάνναβις" (Cannabis), which means "hemp".

What does canvas mean?

• In earlier times, canvas was made from hemp fibers, so the roots of this word are also related to it.

• Gradually hemp was replaced by cotton and linen, but the name remained.

Uses of Canvas:

• For making sails for ships.

• For making tents and shelters.

• For making marquees and backpacks.

• For covering fashion items, such as handbags, shoes, and electronic devices.
  

Uses of Canvas in Painting

• Canvas is more popular among artists as a painting surface because it provides better texture as well as durability.

• It is usually stretched over wooden frames (Stretcher Bars).

• Oil and acrylic paintings hold up well on canvas surfaces.

• As a support for oil painting.

Modern Canvas – Fabric Composition and Types

Nowadays canvas is mainly made from cotton or linen.

• Sometimes canvas is also prepared from polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

• In history, canvas was made from hemp.

Difference between canvas and other heavy fabrics

• Canvas is woven in a plain weave.

• While, other heavy cotton fabrics like denim are made in a twill weave.

Types of Canvas

1. Plain Canvas – Canvas with a simple weave.

2. Duck Canvas – Tightly woven, making it stronger and more resilient compared to Plain canvas.

How did duck canvas get its name?

• The term "Duck" came from a Dutch word "Doek," which means 'cloth.'

• It is denser and stronger, so it is preferred for larger projects and industrial use.

Classification system of canvas in America

Canvas is measured in America in two ways:

• By weight – Ounces per Square Yard

• By grading number system : Bigger the number lighter the canvas.

• • Number 4 canvas → heavier

  • Number 10 canvas → lighter

Conclusion of this section :🎨✨

Nowadays canvas is mainly made of cotton or linen, whereas earlier it was made from hemp.

• Duck Canvas is denser and stronger than normal canvas.

• Canvas is classified in America in reverse – number 4 canvas is heavier than number 10.

Canvas For Painting

Canvas: The most common support for oil painting

Canvas has now become the most popular support for oil painting, largely replacing wooden panels. But it started slowly.

Early use of canvas (14th - 15th century)

• Canvas began to be used in Italy in the 14th century, but in very small quantities.

• One of the earliest surviving oil paintings is the "Madonna with Angels" (France) from 1410, now housed in the Gemäldegalerie, Berlin.

• Paolo Uccello's painting "Saint George and the Dragon" around 1470 used canvas.

• Sandro Botticelli's famous painting "Birth of Venus" in the 1480s was also made on canvas, but this technique was still rare at the time.

Why did the use of canvas increase in large paintings?

• Larger paintings (especially for country houses) began to be made on canvas.

• Canvas was cheaper than wooden panels, so it was sometimes chosen for less important paintings.

• For example, Uccello's painting on armor did not use silver leaf, although it is seen in other paintings.

• Silver leaf was less commonly used on canvas, as it was considered a more expensive medium.

Other paintings on light fabrics

• Some paintings were made on light linen fabric rather than canvas.

• These paintings used distemper or glue-based colours.

• They were used as banners carried in religious processions.

• But this medium was not very durable, so very few of these paintings have survived.

• Dirk Bouts' "Entombment" (1450s, National Gallery) is a rare example made on distemper and linen.

• It still survives, but its colour has faded considerably.

Canvas vs Panel Painting – Era of Change

Painting on wooden panels was more popular in Italy till the 16th century and in Northern Europe till the 17th century.

• Paintings made on wooden panels were most preferred by artists since ancient times.

• But gradually the trend of painting on canvas started increasing.

Contribution of Venice and Mantegna

• Andrea Mantegna and the artists of Venice were the first in Italy to take forward the beginning of painting on canvas.

• The sails of boats readily available in Venice helped in this change.

• Venice canvas was considered to be of the best quality, so the artists there started adopting it for painting.

Reasons for the increased use of canvas

• Wooden panels were heavy and could shrink or tear over time.

• Canvas was light and flexible, making it easy to carry and create large-sized paintings.

• Canvas was readily available in maritime cities such as Venice, as it was already manufactured to form the sails of ships.

Process of preparing canvas and importance of gesso

The canvas is stretched on a wooden frame (stretcher) so that it becomes a stable surface for painting.

Why is gesso applied?

• Gesso acts as a primer, which prepares the surface of the painting.

• If gesso is not applied, the oil paint will directly penetrate the fibers of the canvas, which can damage the canvas over time.

• The layer of gesso keeps the paint on the canvas, making the painting durable and safe for a long time.

Types of Gesso and Their Characteristics

1. Traditional Gesso
• Made from lead carbonate and linseed oil.
• It is applied on top of rabbit skin glue.
• It is flexible and lasts a long time.
2. Titanium White Gesso
• It is made from titanium white pigment and calcium carbonate.
• This gesso is a little brittle and prone to cracking.
3. Modern Synthetic Gesso
• It is made from latex paint.
• It contains a mixture of titanium dioxide, calcium carbonate, and thermo-plastic emulsion.
• This is the most commonly used gesso as it is flexible and durable.

Precautions

Lead-based gesso is toxic, so caution has to be taken while using it. In modern times, lead-free gesso is used so that there is no harm to health.

Painting on Unprimed Canvas – A Unique Technique

Some artists preferred to paint directly on canvas without applying gesso.

• Many famous artists such as Jackson Pollock, Kenneth Noland, Francis Bacon, Helen Frankenthaler adopted this technique.

• Color Field Painters and Lyrical Abstractionists also incorporated unprimed canvas in their art.

Acrylic vs Oil Paint on Unprimed Canvas.

• Staining of acrylic paint on cotton canvas was safer as it did not cause much damage to the fabric fibers.

• Oil paint, if applied directly on unprimed canvas, can damage the canvas over time.

Helen Frankenthaler and the "Stain Painting" Technique

In 1970, Helen Frankenthaler shared her experience of doing "stain painting" on unprimed canvas.

She said:

• "When I first started stain painting, I left the canvas unpainted in many places."
• "For me, the canvas was as important as the colors, lines, and textures."
• "The canvas should not be considered just a background or empty space, but it can also be an active part of the painting."
• "Where to apply paint and where not to apply it is also part of the painting."

What is Stain Painting?

• In this technique, the paint is diluted and poured directly onto the unprimed canvas, allowing it to soak into the fabric.

• This technique helps to create flat colors and soft edges.

• It was used in Color Field Painting, where light, flowing colors were used on large canvases to create the effect

Evolution of Canvas: From Linen to Cotton Duck

Early canvas was made from linen. It was a strong, brown fabric with great strength.

Linen Canvas – The Best Choice for Oil Painting

• Linen was especially well suited for oil painting.

• It is extremely strong and durable, allowing artists to use it for a long time.

• Many professional artists (especially oil painters) still use linen canvas today.

Cotton Duck – Became Popular in the 20th Century

• The use of cotton canvas, called “cotton duck”, began in the early 20th century.

• It was more affordable and readily available than linen.

• Cotton duck canvas is more flexible and easier to stretch.

• Its weave is uniform and mechanical, making its surface smooth and regular.

The Growing Popularity of Acrylic Paint and Cotton Duck

• The use of cotton duck canvas increased greatly after the introduction of acrylic paint.

• Because acrylic paint adheres easily to canvas and does not require much priming (Gesso).

• This gave artists a cheap and durable option, making the use of canvas more common.

Linen vs Cotton Duck – Key Differences

Gessoed Canvas and its Different Types

Pre-Gessoed Canvas that come with gesso coating are available in the market today.

• These are stretched on a wooden stretcher.

• Artists can use these straight away as they already have 2 or 3 layers of gesso applied to them.

Different Weights of Canvas

The weight of canvas refers to its density and thickness. This weight is measured in ounces per square yard (oz/sq yd) or grams per square meter (g/m²).

How to choose canvas according to weight?

• Light canvas – for drawing or transparent paintings.

• Medium canvas – the most common choice for acrylic and oil paintings.

• Heavy canvas – for more texture and thicker brush strokes.

Why is it necessary to apply additional gesso?

• Some artists want more control over their painting surface, so they apply their own gesso of choice.

• In some cases, a pre-prepared gesso layer may be too thin, allowing for greater paint absorption.

• Professional artists prefer to prepare their own canvas using traditional methods, allowing them to create a surface that is completely custom to their liking.

Modern Painting Techniques vs. Flemish and Dutch Masters Techniques

The biggest difference between Flemish and Dutch Masters painting techniques and modern painting techniques was in the “preparation of the canvas.”

1. Modern Painting Techniques – Embracing the Texture of the Canvas

• Modern artists take full advantage of the natural texture of the canvas.

• They allow brush strokes and canvas texture to emerge during painting, making the painting look more dynamic.

• Nowadays, artists intentionally use textured canvas to add depth and texture to the painting.

2. Flemish and Dutch Masters Techniques – Perfectly Smooth Surfaces

The great artists of the Renaissance worked hard to completely hide the texture of the canvas.

• They wanted their paintings to look perfectly smooth and shiny (enamel-like finish) so that the brush strokes or canvas texture would not show through.

• For this, they applied lead-white paint layer by layer on raw canvas for months.

• Each layer was polished meticulously, and this process was repeated again and again.

The final surface had no connection with the cloth. It became a shiny, enamel-like smooth surface.

Comparison to understand the difference

Proper Canvas Preparation and its Benefits

When the canvas is prepared correctly, painting becomes even easier and more effective.

1. Smooth Painting Experience – “Buttery Application”

• Color spreads easily on a well-prepared canvas, gliding as smoothly as butter.

• If the artist follows the “Fat Over Lean” technique (in which each layer is oilier than the previous), the brush strokes are not visible at all.

• In such paintings, the surface becomes completely smooth and shiny, similar to the style of the old masters.

2. How to Remove Wrinkles

If the canvas gets wrinkled, here is how to fix it:

• Take a wet cotton cloth.

• Place it on the wrinkled area.

• Apply light pressure with a warm iron.

• This will remove the wrinkles and the canvas will become tight and smooth again.

3. Digital printing and "Giclée" technique

• Not only painting but digital printing can also be done on canvas.

• Offset printing or special digital printers are used, which print on canvas.

• This technique is called "Giclée", in which high-quality images are printed with an inkjet printer.

• After printing, the canvas is wrapped on a wooden frame (stretcher) and is used for decoration.

Use of Canvas in Embroidery

Canvas is a popular base fabric not only for painting, but also for embroidery.

1. Importance of Canvas in Embroidery

• The canvas used for embroidery is strong, stable and thick, allowing the thread to be threaded easily.

• It is especially suitable for embroidery techniques such as cross-stitch and Berlin Wool Work.

2. Different Types of Embroidery Canvas

3. How does embroidery canvas work?

• Embroidery canvas has small grids or holes in it, through which the needle and thread can pass easily.

• This canvas is flat and strong, making the designs beautiful and durable.

Canvas As Painting on Medieval Shields

From the 13th century, canvas was used not only for painting, but also to cover the surface of shields.

1. Use of Canvas on Pavise Shields

• Pavise shields were made of wood, and a layer of canvas was pasted on their surface to make it strong and decorative.

• Gesso was applied in several layers on this canvas, making it an ideal surface for painting.

• After this, beautiful paintings were made on the canvas using the tempera technique.

2. Layer of Transparent Varnish

• After painting, the surface of the shield was sealed with a transparent varnish.

• This varnish protected the painting for a long time and gave it a shiny finish.

3. Main purpose of canvas – not just painting!

• Although gessoed canvas allowed for painting, its main purpose was to strengthen the shield.

• This worked in much the same way that "fiberglass" (Glass-Reinforced Plastic) works to strengthen an object today.

Types of Canvas – Splinted Canvas, Stretched Canvas and Canvas Boards

Canvas for painting is available in three main types:

• Splined Canvas

• Stretched Canvas

• Canvas Boards

1. Splined Canvas – Staple-less Edges

• The canvas is held in place by a strip called a "spline" on the back of the frame (Stretcher Bars).

• Because there are no staples on the edges, artists can paint over the entire surface, including the edges.

• It can also be displayed well without a frame, as the edges are clean and painted.

• If the canvas becomes loose, it can be easily re-stretched by adjusting the spline.

2. Stapled Stretched Canvas – Tighter but less flexible

• The canvas is stretched by staples on wooden frames (Stretcher Bars).

• It remains tighter for a longer period of time, which keeps the painting surface stable.

• But if the canvas ever becomes loose, it is difficult to stretch it again, because there is a hassle of removing and re-applying the staples.

3. Canvas Board – For beginner artists and quick sketching

• It is made by gluing the canvas on a hard cardboard backing (Hardboard or Cardboard).

• It is usually made of linen and primed for a particular painting type.

• It is mainly used for quick sketches and practice by beginner artists.

• It is cheap, lightweight and portable, but not as durable as stretched canvas.

Conclusion: Canvas – A Perfect Combination of Art and Functionality

Canvas has played an important role in history. It was first made from hemp, but over time evolved into cotton and linen. Its versatility led to its use in painting, embroidery, ship sails, fashion, and even medieval shields.

1. Revolution in Painting

• Canvas replaced wooden panels, giving artists a strong, yet flexible surface.

• The development of gesso further expanded its utility, allowing oil and acrylic paintings to last longer.

• Nowadays, innovations such as pre-gessoed canvas and synthetic gesso have given artists even more convenience.

2. Types of Canvas and Adaptability

• Canvas is classified based on weight, weave, and material.

• Duck Canvas is more durable for industrial uses.

• Cotton Duck Canvas is still the most common and accessible choice for painters.

• Techniques such as stain painting and Flemish Master Layering show how artists interact with canvas in different ways.

3. Use of Canvas in Areas Other than Painting

• The use of canvas in digital printing (Giclée prints) has become very common today.

• Aida Cloth and Binca Canvas are widely used in embroidery.

• Canvas was also used to strengthen medieval shields.

4. Canvas – A blend of tradition and innovation

• Whether it is the gorgeous strokes of an oil painting or the delicate stitching of embroidery, canvas continues to be an important medium today.

• Its strength, flexibility, and adaptability make it indispensable not just in art but in many other areas of life as well.