Are more expensive canvases worth the money?

[bif]

I buy the value packs from Blick and they're just fine. Especially since I paint a lot. I was wondering what the difference is between these and the more expensive ones. And are the wood panels worth the money?

[drray23]

1. I mostly paint on wood panels

since I do plein air. The less expensive canvas ones, especially those on a cardboard backing tend to bend after a few months. Raymar makes some that are top quality but they are expensive.
Instead I use hardboard panels with toned gesso on it ( I paint in oils). I used to make my own but now I just buy Richeson plein air gessoed hardboard panels and they are a good value and stable over time.

[jimfields33]

2. Unfortunately, I can't help here. I can't even do a decent stick figure.

However, I hope you get a lot of good responses from the great DU community. I have no doubt you will.

[mahina]

3. It depends

If someone has developed their skill to the degree that anyone cares if it’s on French linen or cardboard, maybe. If a customer is considering buying the art and they know enough to care it can make a difference.

Good art can be made on anything including rubbish cans. Bad art too.

I don’t think anybody is going to be more likely to buy a beginner’s painting because it’s on a better material. If they love the art and it’s on some thing reasonably permanent it might not make any difference at all. If it’s from an accomplished artist and it’s a very valuable painting, it’s probably worth buying better materials because some of them will be more durable.

My .03 fwiw if anything

[lunatica]

4. If you choose to paint something very large

the expensive canvases are very good. Some people just like to build their own. I’m not one of them but I know how. It’s a real pain to have canvases that are sqewed and wobbly! And a good solid canvas can be hung without a frame.

If you buy them you can save money by not buying gesso because the prestretched canvases are ready to be painted on. And you save yourself the mess! Though I don’t doubt you could find something interesting to paint in the mess!