canvas

Plain cloth woven from tough durable cotton or linen yarn, used as a support for paintings, as well as baggage, tents, beach shoes, and other utilitarian purposes. Artist's canvas is one of the most popular working surfaces for artists, as it is lighter and more portable than wood, and lasts longer than paper. The canvas is attached to a stretcher (wooden frame) and primed with a coating of size, traditionally a rabbit-skin glue although primer or diluted PVA glue is also used. Sizing prevents the paint from flaking off or being absorbed into the material; the process is so-called because it shrinks the canvas to the ‘size’ of the stretcher, making it taut and easier to paint on.

When tacking the canvas to its stretcher, it is important that the canvas touches as little of the wooden edge of the stretcher as possible, otherwise it will weaken and tear.

Canvas is also used in traditional tailoring as an interlining for collars and facings.