We stretch canvases to order, and provide cotton and linen by the metre or the roll for artists to stretch themselves. For this we have sourced high-quality artist supports from Italy and Belgium. We have chosen these canvases because they not only present a versatile range of surfaces on which to work, but they are also very affordable.

Linen is the preferred surface for painting because of its long fibre length and its strength – two to three times that of cotton. This means that linen has better durability and archival integrity, making it a sheer joy to paint on. Linen is made from the flax plant – as is linseed oil – and is one of the most environmentally-sustainable fibres (see eco-linen). At Fitzroy Stretches, our aim is to make this superior painting support more accessible to Australian artists.

Choosing between linen or cotton; unprimed, universal- or oil-primed; fine, medium or heavy grain, and the many other variations can be daunting. We are happy to send out samples of our range of canvases, or if you'd like some advice, come in or give us a call.

Click to find out more: Caravaggio Italian Cottons & Linens | Van Mulders Belgian Oil-Primed Linens | Claessens Belgian Linens | Libeco Lagae Loomstate Linens