Hi Lu,
For canvas painting, I like the thick paints used by William (Bill) Alexander. They are used with his wet into wet technique. I started using them in 1975-78 ? Bob Ross picked up Alexander's technique and developed his own line which I have not used.

For the class I am teaching at the local college, I chose Georgian paints by Daler Rowney. They are much creamier and don't require the "magic white" used by the above artists. Expense was another consideration at the college since they were providing all materials to the students. They could get a 7.5 oz tube of paint for 7.50; as opposed to 4.50 or so for less than an oz of the other tubes.

I'll post a couple of pics!
Rhonda