Custom Made

Blank artists canvases can be made to any size, the only limitation being the width of the canvas available which is typically around 2 meters, the length is limited only by imagination!  We regularly stretch canvases of up to 3m long and can offer solutions for pieces significantly larger.

 

 

 

Creating the perfect stretched canvas starts with the artists’ choice of Canvas product; we offer a wide range of painting surfaces inc:

• 10oz double primed 100% cotton artists’ canvas (available in black also)
• 12oz triple primed 100% cotton artists’ canvas
• DX12 primed poly cotton artists’ canvas
• 10oz triple primed Belgian linen
• 12oz triple primed Belgian linen
• 14oz triple primed Belgian linen

 

Each has a different ‘tooth’ and weight and we are only to happy to provide samples for you to try if you are not sure which will suit you best.

We can also hold rolls of ‘special’ canvas for regular customers, so if there is a specific surface you like to use we will hold it in our factory for you and make your stretched canvases to order using you roll. This service is available to our regular artists – please call us to discuss.

Once you have chosen your preferred surface the next step is the stretcher bar. Our stretcher bar was designed by our team after years of stretching experience and is milled specifically for us and only available to Highly Strung.

The key is in the wood and the shape of the bar, which is all important in creating the correct tension and ideal painting surface.

Our standard stretcher bars are made from heat-treated New Zealand pine, which we believe offers just the right balance of rigidity and weight to create the perfect end product. (This has the added benefit of being ‘exportable’ worldwide without the need for fumigation by customs in the majority of countries)

However we can and do also use cedar and hardwood stretcher bar for some customers.

The shape and size of the bar and the location and amount of bracing is critical, correct construction allows the canvas to be stretched to just the right tension, creating an end product that is not only wonderful to paint on, but also lends your work a feeling of quality and robustness that lesser quality canvases cannot match.  We offer a wide range of sizes and weights of stretcher bar including:

• 17mm x 30mm
• 20mm x 70mm
• 30mm x 70mm
• 35mm x 70mm
• 40mm x 40mm
• 70mm x 35mm

We are happy to advise you on which stretcher bar is best suited to the size of canvas you wish to paint and which surface is likely to suit to your choice of medium and style of work.

 

For artists who don’t want any ‘give’ at all in their painting surface we also offer our range of canvases and linens on board either with or without a stretcher frame – this set up is popular with airbrush artists, still life artists and those who wish to use resin or ‘liquid glass’ in their piece.

Our artists canvases are recommended by galleries right across Australia and used by many well known artists both here and abroad, they can been seen hanging in galleries and homes from the Sunshine Coast to Sydney and New York to London.

If you know what you want to order please email us at contactus@highlystrung.com.au with your name, contact details and requirements and we will get in touch right away.

Alternatively if you would like some advice of which products may suit you please call us on (07) 5442 7044

 

 

 

Prices for blank canvases vary depending on your painting surface and the size of the canvas – Please see our price guide below or contact us for a specific quote:

 

Product	Price per SqM (stretched)
10oz Canvas	$94.30
12oz Canvas	$94.30
DX12	$104
10oz Linen	$118
12oz Linen	$130
14oz Linen	$143

All our custom canvases are fully taped and strung and ready to hang.

Retail Prices as at August 2011*

 

(Retail prices are approximate only please contact us for a quote)