Acrylic Surfaces

Eckersley's offers a huge range of art surfaces, including stretched canvases, canvas rolls, painting pads, canvas panels, and boards, for all your acrylic painting needs. From trusted brands such as Jasart, Ampersand, and Winsor & Newton, we'll provide you with a quality surface to support your acrylic artwork.

At Eckersley's, we've got a painting surface to suit any style, technique, and budget. You can choose to buy them through our website or any of our stores in Australia.

Since opening in 1965, Eckersley's has been supplying art and craft supplies to those who love making art. This includes easels, presentation and framing supplies, varnishes, and art tool storage solutions.

It doesn't matter if you’re just starting out or already creating finished artwork. We've got plenty of options available in different sizes and textures.

What Makes a Good Acrylic Canvas?

A good acrylic canvas is one with a high-quality surface that holds paint well and makes artwork last for years. Most artists tend to go for primed cotton canvas or linen, as they find these materials to be most reliable when working with acrylics. Additionally, when a canvas is already coated with gesso, it means you can start painting straight away without extra prep.

The texture of the canvas is particularly important, depending on what kind of work you want to do. If you are looking to achieve fine details or clean lines, then a smooth surface is a great option. However, a more textured surface is better suited to a looser, more expressive style. It also helps to look at the weight and overall quality of the canvas because the stronger it is, the more longevity it will have.

How Do I Choose a Canvas for Acrylic Painting?

There are a few factors you'll need to weigh when choosing the right canvas for your acrylic painting. As a beginner, we recommend canvas panels or painting pads. They are affordable, lightweight, and offer both versatility and flexibility.

However, if you are a more seasoned artist looking for something larger or more finished, we would steer you towards stretched canvases or canvas rolls. That said, canvas rolls are handy if you like to cut your own sizes. Stretched canvases are ready to go and can be displayed once your painting is done.

It’s also worth thinking about the type of surface texture you prefer. Some artists enjoy a smoother feel. Others like a bit more texture to work with.

Acrylic Paint Canvas Options

At Eckersley’s, you’ll find a wide range of the best canvas options to suit different styles, techniques, and experience levels. This includes:

• Primed cotton canvas
• Linen surfaces
• Canvas panels
• Boards
• Stretched canvases
• Canvas rolls
• Different types of sheets

We offer quality art surfaces in both our online store and our physical locations. They are designed to handle acrylics, oils, and mixed media work. If you’re after something affordable for practice or a more expensive, professional-quality canvas for a finished piece, there are plenty of options to explore. You can also choose from different sizes, textures, and formats.

Tips on How to Prepare Your Canvas for Acrylic Paint

If you want to produce your best work, you'll need to get your canvas ready before you start painting. Most canvases come pre-primed with gesso, so after selecting the one you want, you can start straight away. That said, should you want a smoother finish, you can lightly sand the surface to adjust the texture.

Some artists like to add an extra layer of gesso because they feel it gives them more control over how the paint sits on the surface. This can help when you’re working with thinner layers or more detailed techniques.

You may also benefit from planning your painting before you begin. Just by doing a quick sketch or blocking out your main shapes, you can save time, make fewer mistakes, and feel more confident as you build up your artwork. If you have any questions on how to prepare or use your canvas, please email us.