Canvas fabric at a glance

Canvas fabric with quality

The high-quality MHP Classic canvases are made largely or entirely of cotton. All canvases are also primed ready to paint, either white or transparent in the case of Nature. So you can simply paint directly onto the Classic canvas and hang it up without framing!

Differences in the test 

But each canvas has its own touch and is different in application and effect due to the texture and primer. Therefore, we have tested the surfaces extensively.

We applied acrylic paint to the left and oil paint to the right of the fabric test strips. In the upper row, we applied an opaque and undiluted coat, in the middle row, we chose a thin dry coat and finally, in the third row, we applied a glaze. Balsam turpentine was used as a thinner for the oil paints. For acrylics, water was used to thin the paint.

Especially in the thin dry application of paint, one can see very nicely the differences in the structures of the painting ground.

The Classic Xtra Fein (xtra fine) canvas is suitable for fine works with almost all colours and shines with high quality. 

Due to the fine texture and the even structure, an even application of paint is possible on Xtra Fein. Particularly detailed paintings and drawings are shown to advantage here. 

The Classic Xtra Fein canvas fabric is made of pure cotton and has a basis weight of approx. 270 g/m².  The reverse side has a light surface with a linen look. This fabric is particularly suitable for small and medium formats under 1 m². 

The fine cotton painting fabric is drum-tight stretched on form-stable and distortion-free bars. Possible bar shapes for Classic Xtra Fein are:

• Basic (2 cm high)
• Gallery (2,9 cm high)
• XL (4 cm high) 

The Classic Xtra Fein stretcher bars are primed three times white and are therefore delivered ready to paint. The primer provides a medium absorbent surface and is very finely textured, which is particularly advantageous for detailed paintings. 

The canvas has a high resistance to light and ageing.

This high-quality stretched canvas has been specially composed for precise work with brush, crayons or airbrush gun.

The surface is suitable for almost all oil and water-based paints. The fine, regular structuring even allows you to work with some highly pigmented watercolours, for example for a particularly lively background. Thus, many material mixes are possible.

Suitable techniques and colours:

• fine work with brush
• Airbrush gun
• Glazes
• pastel and oil pastels
• Oil paint
• Acrylic techniques
• Gouache
• Tempera
• Ink painting

The Classic stretched canvas is ideally suited for all oil, tempera and acrylic techniques, especially for large paintings. 

The Classic canvas has a robust blended fabric (70% cotton, 30% polyester) with a basis weight of approx. 330 g/m². Due to the admixture of polyester, this canvas is particularly stable and thus also suitable for large formats over 1 m². 

This high-quality stretched canvas is stapled exclusively on the back. The robust painting canvas with a dark linen look on the reverse side is stretched drum-tight on form-stable and distortion-free strips. Possible versions of the mouldings for Classic are:

• Basic (2 cm high)
• Galerie (2.9 cm high)
• XL (4 cm high)
• U.S. (4cm high) 

The weakly absorbent surface is medium thick, rough and very evenly structured. Due to the triple white priming of the canvas, Classic is delivered ready to paint.

Classic is characterised by a high resistance to light and ageing.

Classic has a regular and rough surface structure. Even with thick layers of paint, the characteristic painting surface is visible. This structure is particularly visible when the paint is applied dry.

Excellent for all oil, tempera and acrylic techniques, especially for large paintings. 

Recommended painting techniques and colours for this canvas:

• medium and coarse brushwork
• Pasty and spatula work
• Glazes
• Oil paint
• Oil pastels
• Acrylic paint
• Tempera
• Mixed Media 

The Extra Heavy Canvas is ideal for all oil, tempera and acrylic techniques, especially for large paintings. 

The extra heavy stretched canvas has a robust fabric made of pure cotton with a basis weight of approx. 420 g/m². This canvas is particularly stable due to its thickness and is therefore also ideally suited for oversizes from 1 m².

This high-quality stretched canvas is stapled exclusively on the back. The sturdy painting canvas with a light linen look on the reverse side is drum-tight stretched on form-stable and distortion-free bars. Possible variations of the mouldings for Classic Xtra Heavy are:

• Basic (2 cm high)
• Gallery (2.9 cm high)
• XL (4 cm high) 

The weakly absorbent surface has a medium-strong and vibrant structure. Due to the triple white priming of the canvas, Classic Xtra Heavy is delivered ready to paint.

Classic Xtra Heavy canvases are also characterised by a high resistance to light and ageing.

Classic Xtra Schwer is a robust cotton fabric with a lively structure.  Despite the thickness of the material, the surface is still harmonious and vivid. This means that detailed works are also possible here.

This fabric is suitable for all painting techniques, such as acrylic, oil and tempera. This stable canvas also tolerates paste-like applications or mixed media very well.

Recommended painting techniques and colours for Classic Xtra Schwer Canvas:

• very fine to very coarse brushwork
• Pasty and spatula work
• Glazes
• Mixed Media
• Oil paint
• Oil pastels
• Acrylic paint
• Tempera
• Gouache

Nature has a very special effect due to the transparent primer. 

The special stretched canvas has a robust fabric made of pure cotton in linen look with a basis weight of approx. 330 g/m². This sturdy canvas is also suitable in oversize from 1 m².

This high-quality stretched canvas is stapled exclusively on the back. The robust painting canvas with a dark linen look is drum-tight stretched on form-stable and distortion-free basic bars (2 cm high). 

The medium to highly absorbent surface has a very rough texture. Nature is primed transparently and is therefore delivered ready to paint.

Our new product Classic Nature is completely different. The transparent primer makes it possible to achieve completely different effects. The effect of light, opaque acrylic colours on the natural ground is very special.

Classic Nature is a highly structured, medium-absorbent and transparently primed cotton fabric with a dark linen look. The robust surface creates a unique look.

The rustic-looking canvas is suitable for common painting techniques, such as acrylic, tempera and oil painting. The robust fabric also tolerates a pasty application and is suitable for mixed media.

Recommended painting techniques and colours for this canvas:

• medium and coarse brushwork
• pasty and spatula work
• opaque colours
• acrylic paint
• pastel and oil crayons
• tempera
• gouache
• Oil paint
• Mixed Media