Introducing Claessens Belgian Linen Canvas

Claessens Belgian Linen Canvas

Claessens is a Belgian-based company, located in the Waregem, which is between Kortrijk and Ghent in the province of West Flanders.  The company has been manufacturing artist’s canvas in the same factory since its founding in 1906, and still firmly believes that quality is maintained through small scale production and the use of longstanding traditional sizing and priming methods.  The factories are situated close to the River Leie and the middle of the Flax District; believed to be one of the finest sources of Flax in the world, thanks to the climate and soil in which it is grown.   Flax is a long stemmed plant which is harvested and then steeped in water.  This makes it easier for the golden soft fibres to be stripped from the woody bast.  The remaining material is spun into threads to create very strong linen.  Linen is considered to be the best quality material available for artist canvas.

At Jackson’s we offer Claessens linen in full 10-metre rolls as well as by the metre, all of which is made from this especially strong and durable flax linen.   The linens we sell are either oil or universally primed. Claessens prime their universal linen canvases by applying 2 layers of titanium white, bound with rabbit skin glue (gesso).

Once dry the surface can be used for both acrylic and oil painting.  The oil primed linens are prepared by priming with a mixture of linseed oil and zinc white pigment.  Once this has been given 3 days’ air-drying time, the canvas is sanded and another layer of white is applied – this time a titanium white based layer.

The canvases are then given a further 10 days’ drying time before they are ready for selling to artists.  We sell extra fine, fine, medium and heavy texture linens from this internationally reputable manufacturer of fine artist linen.

To view all of our linens from Claessens, please visit
The Claessens Linens on the Jackson’s Art Supplies website.