Yes indeed I use a linen canvas because it's purpose is to be covered by paint
I don't put primer or gesso but I wash it first (machine) and start painting when it is still a bit wet.
Use a painting sponge and just go wild … but don't cover all of it make some irregularity, because nothing is flat.
First colour is OCRE, then RAW UMBER, the basis for all tables, then draw the roads, rivers and wathever else.
Finish it by the TERRA COTTA and OCRE in alternative lawers, make something like 3 of each and mix until you feel satisfied.
The advantage of canvas is the fact that you can be carried around very easy. It is quite cheap and very strong, you can can even wash it some time and iron it … a program
I will make a great big one for my central asian table in a while and hope to make a picture tutorial with it.