Canvas and Painting Surfaces
Shop stretched canvas, boards, panels, wood panels and pads for acrylic, oil and mixed media. The range covers small studies through to large statement pieces, in classic rectangles, round formats and gallery wrapped depths, with options for beginners, students and working artists.
How to choose a painting surface
Start with what you want to make. A quick sketch to test an idea, a classroom piece, a finished work for the wall, or a heavy mixed media pour all point to different surfaces. Nail the project first and the surface choice gets simple.
Then ask yourself three things. How big do you want to go, what medium are you using (acrylic, oil or mixed media), and is this practice or something you want to keep. Those three answers rule most options in or out.
Starting your first acrylic piece? A mid-size pre-primed stretched canvas around 40x50cm is a sensible place to begin. It handles acrylic and oil, needs no extra prep, and gives you room to work without feeling precious about it.
Stretched canvas
Most stretched canvases in this range use primed cotton stretched over wooden bars, although materials and frame construction vary by product. Check the listing for cotton, linen, timber or MDF specifications. You can paint straight out of the pack with acrylic or oil. The Eraldo di Paolo Stretched Canvas with Wood Frame is a solid everyday pick across common sizes.
Thin bar canvases suit framed display and are lighter to post or carry. Want to hang the piece without a frame? A gallery wrapped canvas has a deeper edge and continues the primed surface around the sides, so it looks finished on its own. Sizes run from small studies up to large statement pieces for feature walls.
Canvas boards and panels
A canvas board is cotton canvas glued to a rigid board. It stays flat, has no flex under the brush, and is easier to store and transport than a stretched piece. That makes canvas panels a strong pick for studies, plein air, classroom work and travel.
Sizes are typically small to medium, which suits quick colour tests and series work where you want several surfaces at the same scale. If you work in light tones, lively colour or metallics, black canvas panels give you a dark ground that lifts contrast and makes highlights sing.
Wood panels for painting
Wood panels are rigid wooden painting boards, often with a deep cradled profile. There is no canvas weave, so the surface sits smooth and firm. That rigidity matters for heavy mediums, acrylic pouring, mixed media builds and resin finishes, where a flexing canvas can crack a thick layer over time.
The Art Studio Wooden Panel is a reliable everyday choice, and round formats open up shaped compositions that read beautifully in a group. For oils or acrylics on an unprimed wooden panel, apply two to three coats of gesso, sanding lightly between coats. Pre-primed panels can be used without this preparation. Browse the full range of wooden painting boards to compare sizes and depths.
Canvas sizes and shapes
Small canvases around 20x20cm suit studies, cards and gifts, and they're a low-pressure way to practise. Mid-size pieces around 40x50cm are the classroom and home standard, big enough to compose properly without taking over the kitchen table.
Large canvases from 90x120cm up make statement pieces, but check your wall space and how you'll transport them before you commit. For something different, round stretched canvas and other shaped formats break the rectangle habit and work well in pairs or clusters.
Canvas pads for practice
A canvas pad is a stack of primed canvas sheets bound like a sketchpad. It's a low-cost way to practise brushwork, colour mixing and composition without committing to a stretched piece, and it travels easily for workshops and classes.
Canvas pads suit beginners finding their feet and experienced painters warming up or testing a palette. Finished canvas-pad sheets can be mounted or framed for display. Choose stretched canvas or a rigid panel when you want a ready-to-hang surface or need more support while painting.
Priming and preparing your surface
Most canvases and panels in this range arrive pre-primed with acrylic gesso, which means they're ready for acrylic or oil as soon as you open them. Plenty of artists still add a coat or two of their own gesso to get a smoother tooth, a tinted ground, or extra protection when painting oils on wood.
Before you start, check the tension, wipe off any dust, and look for small dings on the corners. Raw wood panels should be sealed before oils to stop the oil soaking in. For a step-by-step, read our guide on how to prime a canvas.
Beginner, student or artist grade
A smaller set of better-quality surfaces will teach you more than a tall stack of the cheapest option. Apply that honestly to your budget.
Beginner. Canvas pads and thin-bar stretched canvas keep the cost down while you work out what you enjoy. Expect a lighter cotton and a basic prime, which is fine for learning brush control and colour mixing.
Student. Pre-primed cotton stretched canvas and panels in standard sizes give you good all-round value. A sensible middle ground once you've found the medium you want to stick with.
Artist. Heavier cotton, deeper gallery wrapped bars and cradled wood panels last longer, hold heavy mediums and display beautifully without a frame. Worth it for finished work, commissions and anything you plan to sell.
Why shop with Riot
- More than 40 years supporting Australian makers.
- House and exclusive brands including Eraldo di Paolo and The Art Studio.
- Customer support Monday to Friday, with an aim to reply within one business day.
- Shipping and returns clearly published on site.
FAQs
Stretched canvas vs canvas board: which should I choose?
Choose stretched canvas for finished pieces you want to hang, especially larger work. Choose a canvas board for studies, classroom use, plein air and travel. Boards are flat, firm and easy to store. Stretched canvas gives you a lighter feel under the brush and looks finished on the wall, particularly in gallery wrapped depths.
What size canvas is best for beginners?
Around 30x40cm or 40x50cm is a comfortable starting size. It's big enough to compose a proper picture without feeling cramped, and small enough that you'll actually finish it. Save very large canvases for when you're confident with composition. Keep a few small canvases or a pad on hand for quick studies and colour tests.
Do you need to prime a pre-stretched canvas?
No. Most pre-stretched canvases in this range arrive primed with acrylic gesso and are ready to paint with acrylic or oil. Some artists add an extra coat or two for a smoother tooth, a tinted ground, or extra protection for oils. If the surface feels right for your project out of the pack, you can start painting straight away.
What is the best surface for oil paint?
Oils work well on pre-primed stretched canvas, canvas panels and sealed wood panels. Rigid wood panels suit detailed or heavily layered oil work because they don't flex. If you're painting oils on raw timber, seal the wood first so the oil doesn't sink in. Pre-primed cotton canvas is the easiest everyday option.
Can you use oil paints on canvas primed with acrylic gesso?
Yes. Acrylic gesso is designed to accept both acrylic and oil paint, which is why most canvases and panels ship pre-primed this way. If you want a smoother surface for fine detail, add one or two extra coats of gesso and lightly sand between them. A decent tooth helps the first oil layer grip properly.
Do you deliver canvas across Australia?
Yes, we ship canvas, boards, panels and pads Australia-wide. Delivery times and costs depend on size and location. Large canvases may be treated as bulky items, cannot always be delivered to PO boxes and may be excluded from free shipping Check the shipping page for current rates and times. If you're setting up for a large piece at home, pair your canvas with a sturdy easel to keep the work stable while you paint.