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ART BY

JAMES HONDROS

CANVAS REFERENCE

While identifying a size of canvas is subjective, there are several standard sizes that you may be able to work with to discover
which measure intuitively is right to you. The common art canvas sizes also may correspond with common frame sizes, reproduction
sizes and the general sizes that people like to work in as well as display. This guide may be a handy reference to explore the
common canvas sizes in the respective world oil painting.

RECTANGLE CANVASES

Rectangle canvases are by far the most common. They come in various size variations, but some are more common
than others. As a lot of visual artists will explain, sizes are standard, however, their breakdown is purely objective.
For example, what may seem small to one painter might actually seem quite large to another painter.

SMALL

Smaller canvases are perfect for working on extremely fine detailed work or simply creating a single, bold feature. It’s
also the size of many postcards and greeting cards, so it can be a good size for creating artwork to scan and turn into
colourful and eye catching stationery designs.

COMMON SMALL CANVAS SIZES:

4″ x 6″ / 10.16 cm x 15.24 cm

5″ x 7″ / 12.70 cm x 17.78 cm

MEDIUM

A medium canvas is great for a lot of creative works. They have a more generous surface area for painting than the
previously mentioned small canvases, and are not too broad a working area. They have space to use a variety of brush
types, and will allow anybody, at any level to explore a variety of different techniques. As a single piece it does not
necessarily have a strong impact in a large room, although it can create a very significant painting.

COMMON MEDIUM CANVAS SIZES:

8″ x 10″ / 20.32 cm x 25.40 cm

9″ x 12″ / 22.86 cm x 30.48 cm

11″ x 14″ /  27.94 cm x 35.56 cm

12″ x 16″ / 30.48 cm x 40.64 cm

LARGE

A large canvas is exactly what you need to create paintings that make a strong impact in a room. It has plenty
of room to creating large compositions or large, sweeping scenes and it’s generally easier to work on with an
easel versus on a flat surface.

COMMON LARGE CANVAS SIZES:

18″ x 24″ / 45.72 cm x 60.96 cm

20″ x 24″ / 50.8 cm x 60.96 cm

24″ x 36″ / 60.96 cm x 91 cm

EXTRA LARGE CANVAS SIZE: 

30″ x 40″ / 76.2 cm x 101.6 cm

OVERSIZE CANVAS SIZE:

36″ x 48″ / 91.44 cm x 121.92 cm

MINI CANVASES

Anything under 4″ x 6″ / 10.16 cm x 15.24 cm  is considered a mini canvas. 

Within mini canvases you might find square variations such as 2″ x 2″ (5.08 cm x 5.05 cm) or 3″ x 3″ (7.62 cm x 7.62cm),
or an ACEO size (Art Cards Editions and Originals) which is a slightly larger than a business card. Mini canvases are ideal for
creating small paintings, and can be aesthetically pleasing when displaying many of them side by side.