Is a Cotton or Linen Canvas Best for Oil Painting?

Is there any difference in using cotton or linen for an oil painting canvas? What sort of canvas holds up well with oil paintings? Do you even have to use canvas, or can you use oil paints with other substrates, like paper, wood, or glass? If you're new to the art form, it can be difficult to pick out the best canvas material for oil painting and you may find yourself with a lot of questions. The answer is clear: a quality fabric canvas is a must for oil painting.

Specialty oil painting canvas is the only material that will accept oil paints and not deteriorate over time. Oil paints are one of the art world's most challenging and limiting mediums. Oil-based products do not dry as easily as water-based products and therefore do not adhere to many surfaces. They can also bleed through when using alternative materials and damage surfaces that have not been properly prepared the way a specialty canvas is for oil painting.

Now that we've determined that canvas is really the only material that can be used for oil painting, how do we choose the right kind of canvas? You’ll find many canvas material options are available—linen, cotton, jute, hemp, and poly/cotton blends. However, only two of these are truly suitable for oil painting: cotton and linen. Both are widely available at art supply stores in various size options. So, how do you choose between the two? Well, it comes down to what you prioritize as an artist.

Comparing Cotton and Linen Canvas

Cotton and linen canvases are differentiated by two factors: cost and durability. Canvases made from linen fibers are often the first choice for oil painters. Linen is the most durable fabric to paint on. The fibers' nature preserves the painting's integrity well because it is most receptive to oil paints and the sizing and priming processes that happen before the painting can be started. Linen may be the most durable material for oil painting, but even these fibers have to be protected from deterioration.

Since linen retains its natural oils, this helps keep the fibers flexible and prevents the canvas from becoming brittle over time. So, for full-time oil artists, linen canvas is the obvious choice.

The primary drawback of using linen canvas is the comparatively high cost. One linen canvas can cost twice as much as its cotton or hemp counterparts. For artists who need to take material cost into consideration, cotton fiber canvas is the way to go. It is not nearly as strong or durable as linen, but the material is still much more receptive to oil paints than other surfaces. If the canvas is properly prepared and sealed, then the painting shouldn't be in danger of deterioration in the future.

How to Prepare Your Canvas for Oil Painting

Before a canvas can be used, it must be properly prepared for oil paints in two ways:
1. Sizing – the application of a glue barrier that protects the linen fibers from the primer and the oil mediums. Sizing also prevents the canvas from cracking by keeping the fibers flexible. This will keep the piece safe from fluctuations in moisture.
2. Priming – this is often referred to as the ground or gesso. Gesso is an absorbent layer that encourages the oil paint to adhere to the surface of the canvas. Oil is inclined to bond with an oil-prepared canvas, so artists will have the best outcome when using canvases that have been specially prepared for oil paints.

Now that we know what kind of canvas to use and how to make sure that it has been properly prepared for oil painting, the last step is to get started! Many art suppliers offer canvases that are already primed for oil painting and Cheap Joe's is happy to do the same for you. Make sure you check out the oil painting canvases we have to offer in every size from small 12" x12" frames all the way up to 60" x84"! If you need it, we've got it in stock. Every canvas is made from high-quality linen or cotton fabric and already sized and primed for easy use.

As you’re selecting a canvas for your next oil painting project, consider the goal of the piece and what you value in a finished work. If you’re creating a painting to sell and want to ensure that the quality is long-lasting, then we recommend choosing a linen canvas. If the painting will be used for practice, as a chance to try out new techniques, if you’re unsure of the intent of the finished product, or if you simply can't afford high-end materials, then cotton is a perfectly suitable option for oil painting. While many artists have personal preferences here, there really is no right or wrong choice, as long as you know each material's characteristics and lifespan. Happy painting!