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 canvases from
Italy and Belgium. We have chosen these supports because they not only present
a versatile range of surfaces on which to work, but they are also very
affordable.
Van Mulders prepare artists linen of exceptional quality sourced from Libeco Lagae. They are prepared the traditional way - hand primed. Founded in 1890, this family-owned company continues to prepare Belgian linen in the traditional way, using rabbit skin glue and up to three layers of oil primer consisting of a recipe of linseed oil, chalk, titanwhite, lithopone white and white spirit, with each layer hand-sanded. This oil priming brings out the true lustre and colour of any oil paint used. Van Mulders linens come in rolls 210mm wide and 10 metres long and are available from rough-textured through to a finer grain for detailed brushwork.
Established over a century and a half ago, Libeco Lagae produces 60% of the total linen production in Belgium and is responsible for one of the finest ranges of artist linens available. These linens are available in loomstate in rolls of 50-55 metres, or per metre off the roll.
Caravaggio Italian Cottons & Linens
The Caravaggio range of Italian cottons and linens is our most popular.
With good reason: they're versatile, high quality and represent great
value.
For the last half-decade, Fitzroy Stretches has been the agent for
Caravaggio cottons and linens which have been milled in Varese, Italy
for over 30 years. Available in a range of styles, colours and widths,
the Caravaggio collection is prepared with a layer of clear-primer, and
three layers of universal primer. The universal-primed surface is
suitable for both oils and acrylics. All types are available in 210mm
widths in 10 metre rolls.
Fitzroy Stretches worked directly with the Italian manufacturers to
develop black- and red ochre-coloured priming. These coloured grounds
have proven to be very popular. Many of our artists also use
Caravaggio's clear-primed surface as an alternative to rabbit skin glue.
Van Mulders Belgian Oil-Primed Linens
Van Mulders prepare artists linen of exceptional quality sourced from Libeco Lagae. They are prepared the traditional way - hand primed. Founded in 1890, this family-owned company continues to prepare Belgian linen in the traditional way, using rabbit skin glue and up to three layers of oil primer consisting of a recipe of linseed oil, chalk, titanwhite, lithopone white and white spirit, with each layer hand-sanded. This oil priming brings out the true lustre and colour of any oil paint used. Van Mulders linens come in rolls 210mm wide and 10 metres long and are available from rough-textured through to a finer grain for detailed brushwork.
Claessens Belgian Linens
Claessens Belgian linen is aimed squarely at serious artists who require the high performance of a linen canvas.
Founded in 1906, this company maintains a specialisation in linen
production, guaranteeing a premium quality canvas to artists worldwide.
Claessens Belgian linen is the highest quality found anywhere in the
world and comes as both oil- and acrylic primed.
Libeco Lagae Belgian Linen
Established over a century and a half ago, Libeco Lagae produces 60% of the total linen production in Belgium and is responsible for one of the finest ranges of artist linens available. These linens are available in loomstate in rolls of 50-55 metres, or per metre off the roll.
