# Type of canvas to use to a really big painting **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 7, 2002, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/type-of-canvas-to-use-to-a-really-big-painting/131137 "2002-10-07T02:35:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ressl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Ressl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ressl)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2002, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/type-of-canvas-to-use-to-a-really-big-painting/131137/1 "2002-10-07T02:35:12Z")
I’d like to start a ~4’ x 6’ painting, but I don’t know what material I could use as a solid piece, and then what type of paint to paint it. (I plan on painting The Great Wave by Katsushika Hokusai) ---
**Author:** ![John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ccd318/32.png) [@John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Kentzel-Griffin)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2002, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/type-of-canvas-to-use-to-a-really-big-painting/131137/2 "2002-10-07T05:25:29Z")
Questions about art belong in Cafe Society. I’ll move this to Cafe Society for you. Off to Cafe Society. **DrMatrix** - General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Rodney\_of\_Texas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/cab0a1/32.png) [@Rodney\_of\_Texas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodney_of_Texas)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2002, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/type-of-canvas-to-use-to-a-really-big-painting/131137/3 "2002-10-07T21:05:55Z")
I’d make some 4X6 stretcher bars & stretch a canvas over it just like a small painting. It might need an extra support bar or two, but 4ft by 6ft is not all that large, and canvas that size can be bought at better art supply/frame suppliers. A more economical method is to get a piece of 4X8 untempered masonite panel, cut it to size & gesso it. Good luck.