Surface
Find the surface best suited to your technique or aesthetic. Consider if the weave of the canvas, the grain of a wooden panel or the smoothness of paper is right for your practice, what level of absorbency you require, and if you prefer your substrate to be rigid.
Browse our comprehensive range of canvas and canvas accessories including cotton and linen by the meter, and our bespoke canvas service.
A wide selection of paper surfaces for all mediums from sheets, rolls, and packs to bound sketchbooks, gummed pads and painting blocks.
A broad range of rigid painting surfaces including primed handmade canvas boards and all media aluminum panels.
A choice of grounds for preparing and sealing absorbent substrates such as canvas and wood to create a sound working surface.
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Art Surfaces: What Surface Should I Use?
Choosing the right surface is essential for achieving your artwork's desired effect and longevity. Whether you are working with oil, acrylic, watercolor, or printmaking, the right substrate can make all the difference.
Canvas is a popular choice for artists due to its versatility and the variety of available textures. For those looking to buy in bulk, canvas by the meter or on the roll offers flexibility in terms of sizing and priming. Stretched canvas is ready to use and available in a wide range of sizes, while our bespoke canvas builder allows you to create canvases tailored to your needs. We also sell canvas pads for portable and convenient use, and a range of samples, tools and accessories to support your painting process.
If you prefer a sturdy rigid surface, consider panels and boards. Wooden panels and aluminum panels are popular and durable painting surfaces, and our aluminum panels can be further customised with our bespoke panel builder. Rigid panels and boards are particularly popular for pour painting and working with alcohol ink, as well as tempera and encaustic. For a traditional primed board, gesso boards and panels are an excellent choice. We also supply paper boards, canvas panels and boards, and clay boards, catering to various artistic techniques. Multimedia panels and scraper boards provide unique textures and surfaces, while foam boards, backing boards, and mountboards are perfect for presentation and framing.
For artists who use paper and card, our range includes paper sheets, sketchbooks, gummed pads, spiral pads, stitched pads, and paper blocks. These are available in different weights and textures to suit your medium and technique. We also offer paper rolls for large-scale works and pre-cut paper packs for convenience. Our specialist paper and surfaces cater to specific needs such as digital printing and paper stretching.
When selecting your surface, consider the weave of the canvas, the grain of a wooden panel, or the smoothness of paper to see which best suits your practice. Think about the level of absorbency you require, whether you prefer your substrate to be flexible or rigid, and how long you expect the surface to last. With our extensive selection of canvas, paper and card, and panels and boards, you can find the perfect surface for your practice.