How to use the right canvas weight for the right size?

[Marcus Lim]

I've got a commission to do both large and small artworks for a private collection. I plan to stretch my own canvas, you see, and I understand there's both 7 oz and 12 oz canvases available in the market.

My question now is: when do we use 12 oz canvases? What is the minimum size appropriate for 12 ounce-ers? I hope to find out from all the experts active in this forum here, and will appreciate if you can share your thoughts.

Marcus

[Allan Rahbek]

Hi Marcus,

This is a matter of how you apply your paint.

From the pictures you have shown here it looks like you prefer to paint expressively. In that case I would choose the heavy linen, that, I presume, has a coarser surface.

Allan

[Michele Rushworth]

I use Claessen's double primed linen 13DP -- the 13 refers to how fine the canvas texture is, I believe, not the heaviness of the linen. I use it for all size paintings, from 16x20 and smaller, up up to 36 x48 inches.

[Marcus Lim]

Heehee, thanks for the contributions.
Being in Singapore, many technical knowledge and materials are unavailable. However from what i managed to piece up bits of information, especially from China artists, they swear by heavy 12oz canvases for mural sized paintings (etc. large paintings of Chairman Mao?)

I know for sure that some of my coming works are like 1.5m and larger pieces. I'm just hoping to hear any experiences from veterans like you all here, and find out where we draw the line to using the usual 7oz ones, or it's really ok to use heavy-duty canvases for even small sizes.