Term: Canvas

A general term for a closely woven fabric of linen or cotton. The term is also used to refer to a piece canvas or similar material that is used as a support for painting. Early canvases were made with linen, which is created from the fibers of the flax plant. Cotton, which is made from the seed hair of the cotton plant, is more commonly used today because it is less expensive to produce.

All canvases need to be prepared in some way so they can function as a support. For example, the canvas fabric has to be attached to a strainer or glued to a rigid surface in order to keep the dried paint from cracking. The canvas must also be sized to shield the fibers from the corrosive action of oil paints. Grounds may also be applied to fill the gaps between the weave of the canvas and provide a uniform surface on which to paint.

In casual references to the painting process, the term canvas may generally refer to any painting surface. For instance, the phrase "put your brush to the canvas" does not necessarily dictate that the support used be made of canvas.