Choosing a painting surface
Start with the edge. A painting can wrap around a stretcher, hang as loose cloth or sit on a rigid panel. Compare the three supports available in the Commission Lab.
Stretched canvas
Fabric is pulled taut around wooden bars. Choose this when you want the painting to stand away from the wall and its wrapped edges to show.
Loose canvas
The cloth stays flexible. Choose this if you want a textile edge or plan to have the painting stretched or mounted after it arrives.
Wood panel
The artist works on a rigid board. Its firm face and narrow edge suit a piece you plan to frame or display close to the wall.
Ground, medium and frame
The support carries the work. The ground prepares it for the artist’s medium, such as oil paint. A stretcher sits behind the cloth, while a frame surrounds the finished picture. If a frame has to fit an alcove, include the total available width in your brief.
Have a work on paper in mind? Ask the studio about paper before choosing a support.