Blick Linen Canvases: Where Quality Meets Value

When it comes to linen canvases, Blick Art Materials delivers two solid options that check all the boxes: quality, durability, and affordability. Whether you’re a beginner looking to try linen for the first time or a professional seeking a top-tier surface, Blick’s linen canvas line offers something for everyone. Let’s take a closer look at what sets them apart.

Why Choose Blick Linen Canvas?

There’s a reason artists choose linen over cotton—it’s stronger, lasts longer, and holds up better over time. But not all linen canvases are created equal. Blick brings together premium materials, hand-crafted details, and a price that won’t break the bank.

From studio-grade stretched linen to luxurious Belgian linen built for oil painting, Blick makes sure you’re covered no matter your level or painting style.

Two Excellent Choices for Artists

1. Blick Studio 100% Linen Stretched Canvas

This canvas is great for artists who want to step up from cotton without jumping into ultra-premium territory. It's a well-made, affordable option that still delivers the strength and feel of real linen.

Key Features:

• Made with 100% linen with a medium texture
• 6 oz pre-primed, 9 oz after priming
• Triple-primed with acrylic titanium gesso
• Hand-stretched and back-stapled for clean edges
• Solid wood stretcher bars keep the frame sturdy
• Acid-free for better longevity

Best for:

Acrylic painters, mixed media artists, and anyone looking for a smooth, high-quality surface without a luxury price tag.

2. Blick Premier Belgian Linen Canvas

For artists who want the very best, this is it. Blick Premier Belgian Linen is built with archival-grade materials, hand-finished for a professional feel, and primed the traditional way—just like the Old Masters used to do.

Key Features:

• Crafted with 100% Belgian linen, medium texture
• 4.5 oz pre-primed, 10 oz primed weight
• Triple-coated with an oil-based primer (lead-free)
• Ideal for oil painting only
• Back-stapled with blanket-fold corners
• 1-3/8" kiln-dried pine stretcher bars
• Built with tenon corners and includes eight keys for tension adjustments

Why It Stands Out:

This canvas is hand-prepared using time-tested techniques. The linen is picked and pumiced in Belgium, then primed in the USA with three coats of oil primer. The result? A smooth, absorbent surface that’s ready to take on anything from classic oil portraits to bold, textured landscapes.

Best for:

Professional oil painters and artists who want a canvas that looks as good as it performs—straight out of the box.

Built for Strength and Longevity

Both Blick linen canvases are built on solid wood stretcher bars and come back-stapled, offering clean sides for easy framing or a frameless display. The Premier Belgian Linen takes it a step further with blanket-fold corners, a feature that’s perfect if you ever need to re-stretch your canvas in the future.

The Premier also includes keys for tension adjustments, which means your canvas will stay tight and flat over time—even in changing climates.

Which One Should You Choose?

If you’re an acrylic painter or just getting into linen, the Blick Studio Linen Canvas is a great place to start. It gives you the texture and quality of linen at a studio-friendly price.

If you’re an oil painter looking for a premium experience, the Blick Premier Belgian Linen Canvas is a serious upgrade. With its traditional oil primer and archival-quality materials, it’s built for professional results and lasting beauty.

Where to Buy

Both canvases are available directly from Blick Art Materials. As one of the most trusted names in art supplies, Blick offers fast shipping, great customer service, and a wide range of sizes to fit your needs.

Final Thoughts

When you invest your time and energy into a painting, you want a canvas that can keep up. With Blick’s linen canvas options, you’re getting durable surfaces, expert craftsmanship, and affordable pricing, all backed by a brand that artists trust.

Whether you're building your next masterpiece or prepping for a gallery show, Blick Linen Canvases are up to the task. Choose the one that fits your style—and start creating with confidence.

FAQs

Q: Can I use oil paint on the Blick Studio Linen Canvas?

While it’s primed with acrylic gesso (which is best suited for acrylics), you can use oil paint if you add an oil primer or an isolation layer before painting.

Q: What’s the difference between acrylic and oil priming?

Acrylic priming creates a flexible surface suitable for both acrylics and oils (with prep), while oil priming gives a more absorbent surface ideal for oil paints and offers better adhesion and archival quality for oils.

Q: Do I need to frame these canvases?

Not necessarily. Both canvases have clean, staple-free edges, so you can display them without a frame for a modern, gallery-style look. But they’re also easy to frame if you prefer a finished presentation.