What is a canvas panel?

Canvas panels are thin wood or cardboard with cotton canvas stretched over them and affixed at the back.  The canvas part has been primed with gesso so that it can be painted on with oil or acrylic and the artist does not have to "prepare" the canvas before beginning his painting.  This eliminates time and effort.  They are not only an inexpensive, time-saving option for artists, who are typically on a strict budget, they are also narrow and easy to store, pack, travel with, display, and ship.   Additionally, they are an excellent option for landscape painters who paint "en plein air" which is a fancy expression for "outside on location."  A normal stretched canvas sitting on an easel would allow light to filter through it altering the appearance of the artwork.  An artist wants to see the light from the front, not have it shining through the canvas from the back, which would interfere with the artist's ability to paint properly. Many artists choose canvas panels for these reasons.

Canvas panels come in a variety of qualities, like any product. (For instance, some are made on the cheapest cardboard or thin cotton or only have one layer of gesso.) Roxy uses top quality panels.  The following is directly from her supplier.

Thicker\stronger canvas:

We use 7 Oz Triple Primed canvas- thicker, stronger, and more durable than any of our competitors. (Most competitors sell you 3-5 oz canvas- Ours is nearly twice as thick)

Solid Board:

The same fine cotton canvas described above comes mounted on solid 1/8" Thick board, to allow for maximum strength and stability.

Triple Primed:

All canvas is coated with 3 layers of gesso, making it ready to paint on and smoothing the surface for medium-smooth texture. 

Perfect Angles:

We use machinist accuracy in creating perfect 90-degree angles.

What is "Stretched Canvas" or "Gallery Wrap?"

Canvas is actually a fabric.  It's finely woven cotton. It comes in rolls or sheets. Think of a paper towel roll or a roll of fabric one may buy to make curtains.  A portion is cut off to the size desired.  Stretched canvas means that it has been stretched around a basic wooden stabilizing "frame."  This is not a frame on the outside.  It means it's been stretched and secured on wood bars instead of the artist rolling it out, cutting off the size he wants and painting on the fabric, unstretched.  This is also referred to as "Gallery Wrap."  If you are on a website and the listing says "no frame" check carefully.  Your painting may arrive in a cardboard shipping cylinder like a poster would be rolled and shipped.  This makes it easy and cheap to ship, but then you will have to take it somewhere and have it stretched and secured so it can be hung.  Many paintings are sold this way online because it is so cheap.    I want my client's painting ready to hang right then when it arrives.

What is Arches Oil Paper?

This is a high quality "paper" Similar to "sketchbook" paper which is actually a 100% cotton fabric.  It is specifically made for use with oil paint and pastels by Arches Huile, a well-known artist supplier in France.  I have painted a lot of paintings on canvas panel.  I love them.  But, I want my new landscapes to be matted. I am using this paper so that it can be easily matted and placed in a much larger frame which gives them a grand appearance. Matting and backing are costly so these are priced accordingly.

Materials: Paints and Brushes

I have three sets of brushes.  One for Oils, one for Acrylics and One for Watercolors.

I use all kinds of brushes.  Expensive ones, cheap ones, whatever I can get my hands on.  I have an ample supply of a variety of name brands and some no name.  I also have a selection of professional palette knives:  ArtistLoft, Blick, New Age from Italy and a few from Martha Stewart and Home Depot.

My acrylic paints are mostly Amsterdam Brand although as of late, I've expanded to heavy body acrylics from other brands such as Liquitex and Golden.

My oil paints are from Gamblin, Windsor Newton, and a few from Van Gogh.  I use Gamblin Gloss Varnish and Linseed and Poppyseed oils.

I get my D hooks online at Amazon and my wire and screws and nails from Home Depot. Honestly, I don't know what brand.  They work with my paintings.  I don't ask questions. 

My wooden frames for Oils and Acrylics are handmade in Mexico and they do a brilliant job.  I do have to purchase ten at a time in each size in order to be able to afford them.  I try to keep them affordable for my clients.  Occasionally, the price gets increased to the cost of the frames and/or shipping.  It can fluctuate with oil prices.

My Watercolor frames vary.  I prefer wood and get them from a supplier who makes them by hand.  If that varies, it will be noted in the description.