Recommended Canvas Sizes

[Allan Rahbek]

Originally Posted by Enzie Shahmiri

Allan, what are you basing the 14" inch width on?

Keeping in mind that a life-size head is ca. 7.5" inch long ]

Enzie,
Width 14" x Height 18" is the smallest canvas that I would normally use for a child portrait. The head would be slightly smaller than life size, 7

[Enzie Shahmiri]

Ah, thanks for clarifying the sizes!

I measured my head as well and was right on the 7.5" mark. Of course people vary in head size and I am not at all surprised to hear that your head is larger. I went with an average size, not as small as that of a child's head and not large either.

Allan, do you buy pre-stretched canvas or do you stretch your own? If you buy do you order one at a time or several at once?

[Julie Deane]

Hi Enzie -

I'm doing a head and shoulders portrait for an volunteer project and the project's coordinators asked us to do them in a 20 x 24 in. format.
For a grown adult male, this seems to be a good size, especially if you want some background to show.

[Allan Rahbek]

Originally Posted by Enzie Shahmiri

Allan, do you buy pre-stretched canvas or do you stretch your own? If you buy do you order one at a time or several at once?

Enzie,
I usually stretch and prime my own canvasses and will make several while I am at it, having to heat the glue and all, it is almost the same job to make a pile of them.
I save a lot of money by doing it my self, but if I need a special size of canvas I can get one within the hour.

[Enzie Shahmiri]

Julie and Allan, thank you for your input!