Canvas stretched on a panel?

[David Dowbyhuz]

I've come across a few of you who seem to prefer painting on canvas-stretched panels?

What kind of panel won't flex and "cup" over time? (Like many of us, I started painting on the economical "canvas boards", and found that over time they warp in the larger sizes. I haven't painted on anything but canvas-over-stretchers ever since.)

Now, when I stretch canvas onto stretchers, I'm able to tack it down along the top edge while pulling down with the cavas pliers. Surely you're not using panels that thick, are you?

Doesn't this make your paintings heavy?

I do like the notion of painting on a firmer surface. At the same time I might miss the "give" of the taut surface when applying pressure with the brush. That spring came add rhythm to your strokes.