diff --git a/artist/artist.go b/artist/artist.go
index f956174..d2f4bd4 100644
--- a/artist/artist.go
+++ b/artist/artist.go
@@ -1,2 +1,52 @@
 package artist
 
+import "image"
+import "image/color"
+
+// Pattern is capable of generating a pattern pixel by pixel.
+type Pattern interface {
+	// AtWhen returns the color of the pixel located at (x, y) relative to
+	// the origin point of the pattern (0, 0), when the pattern has the
+	// specified width and height. Patterns may ignore the width and height
+	// parameters, but it may be useful for some patterns such as gradients.
+	AtWhen (x, y, width, height int) (color.RGBA)
+}
+
+// Texture is a struct that allows an image to be converted into a tiling
+// texture pattern.
+type Texture struct {
+	data []color.RGBA
+	width, height int
+}
+
+// NewTexture converts an image into a texture.
+func NewTexture (source image.Image) (texture Texture) {
+	bounds := source.Bounds()
+	texture.width  = bounds.Dx()
+	texture.height = bounds.Dy()
+	texture.data   = make([]color.RGBA, texture.width * texture.height)
+
+	index := 0
+	for y := bounds.Min.Y; y < bounds.Max.Y; y ++ {
+	for x := bounds.Min.X; x < bounds.Max.X; x ++ {
+		r, g, b, a := source.At(x, y).RGBA()
+		texture.data[index] = color.RGBA {
+			uint8(r >> 8),
+			uint8(g >> 8),
+			uint8(b >> 8),
+			uint8(a >> 8),
+		}
+		index ++
+	}}
+	return
+}
+
+// AtWhen returns the color at the specified x and y coordinates, wrapped to the
+// image's width. the width and height are ignored.
+func (texture Texture) AtWhen (x, y, width, height int) (pixel color.RGBA) {
+	x %= texture.width
+	y %= texture.height
+	if x < 0 { x += texture.width  }
+	if y < 0 { y += texture.height }
+	return texture.data[x + y * texture.width]
+}
diff --git a/artist/chisel.go b/artist/chisel.go
index 1fe1a16..873046b 100644
--- a/artist/chisel.go
+++ b/artist/chisel.go
@@ -7,10 +7,10 @@ import "git.tebibyte.media/sashakoshka/tomo"
 // ShadingProfile contains shading information that can be used to draw chiseled
 // objects.
 type ShadingProfile struct {
-	Highlight     tomo.Image
-	Shadow        tomo.Image
-	Stroke        tomo.Image
-	Fill          tomo.Image
+	Highlight     Pattern
+	Shadow        Pattern
+	Stroke        Pattern
+	Fill          Pattern
 	StrokeWeight  int
 	ShadingWeight int
 }
@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@ func ChiseledRectangle (
 	strokeWeight  := profile.StrokeWeight
 	shadingWeight := profile.ShadingWeight
 
+	data, stride := destination.Buffer()
 	bounds = bounds.Canon()
 	updatedRegion = bounds
 
@@ -59,11 +60,6 @@ func ChiseledRectangle (
 	fillBounds.Max = fillBounds.Max.Sub(shadingWeightVector)
 	fillBounds = fillBounds.Canon()
 
-	strokeImageMin    := stroke.Bounds().Min
-	highlightImageMin := highlight.Bounds().Min
-	shadowImageMin    := shadow.Bounds().Min
-	fillImageMin      := fill.Bounds().Min
-
 	width  := float64(bounds.Dx())
 	height := float64(bounds.Dy())
 
@@ -75,11 +71,10 @@ func ChiseledRectangle (
 			point := image.Point { x, y }
 			switch {
 			case point.In(fillBounds):
-				pixel = fill.RGBAAt (
-					xx - strokeWeight - shadingWeight +
-					fillImageMin.X,
-					yy - strokeWeight - shadingWeight +
-					fillImageMin.Y)
+				pixel = fill.AtWhen (
+					xx - strokeWeight - shadingWeight,
+					yy - strokeWeight - shadingWeight,
+					fillBounds.Dx(), fillBounds.Dy())
 					
 			case point.In(shadingBounds):
 				var highlighted bool
@@ -97,27 +92,21 @@ func ChiseledRectangle (
 						width - float64(xx) >
 						float64(yy)
 				}
-			
+
+				shadingSource := shadow
 				if highlighted {
-					pixel = highlight.RGBAAt (
-						xx - strokeWeight +
-						highlightImageMin.X,
-						yy - strokeWeight +
-						highlightImageMin.Y)
-				} else {
-					pixel = shadow.RGBAAt (
-						xx - strokeWeight +
-						shadowImageMin.X,
-						yy - strokeWeight +
-						shadowImageMin.Y)
+					shadingSource = highlight
 				}
-				
+				pixel = shadingSource.AtWhen (
+					xx - strokeWeight,
+					yy - strokeWeight,
+					shadingBounds.Dx(),
+					shadingBounds.Dy())
 			default:
-				pixel = stroke.RGBAAt (
-					xx + strokeImageMin.X,
-					yy + strokeImageMin.Y)
+				pixel = stroke.AtWhen (
+					xx, yy, bounds.Dx(), bounds.Dy())
 			}
-			destination.SetRGBA(x, y, pixel)
+			data[x + y * stride] = pixel
 			xx ++
 		}
 		yy ++
diff --git a/artist/line.go b/artist/line.go
index 7370520..51458bb 100644
--- a/artist/line.go
+++ b/artist/line.go
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ import "git.tebibyte.media/sashakoshka/tomo"
 
 func Line (
 	destination tomo.Canvas,
-	source tomo.Image,
+	source Pattern,
 	weight int,
 	min image.Point,
 	max image.Point,
@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@ func Line (
 	updatedRegion = image.Rectangle { Min: min, Max: max }.Canon()
 	updatedRegion.Max.X ++
 	updatedRegion.Max.Y ++
+	width  := updatedRegion.Dx()
+	height := updatedRegion.Dy()
 	
 	if abs(max.Y - min.Y) <
 		abs(max.X - min.X) {
@@ -26,7 +28,7 @@ func Line (
 			min = max
 			max = temp
 		}
-		lineLow(destination, source, weight, min, max)
+		lineLow(destination, source, weight, min, max, width, height)
 	} else {
 	
 		if max.Y < min.Y {
@@ -34,18 +36,21 @@ func Line (
 			min = max
 			max = temp
 		}
-		lineHigh(destination, source, weight, min, max)
+		lineHigh(destination, source, weight, min, max, width, height)
 	}
 	return
 }
 
 func lineLow (
 	destination tomo.Canvas,
-	source tomo.Image,
+	source Pattern,
 	weight int,
 	min image.Point,
 	max image.Point,
+	width, height int,
 ) {
+	data, stride := destination.Buffer()
+
 	deltaX := max.X - min.X
 	deltaY := max.Y - min.Y
 	yi     := 1
@@ -59,7 +64,7 @@ func lineLow (
 	y := min.Y
 
 	for x := min.X; x < max.X; x ++ {
-		destination.SetRGBA(x, y, source.RGBAAt(x, y))
+		data[x + y * stride] = source.AtWhen(x, y, width, height)
 		if D > 0 {
 			y += yi
 			D += 2 * (deltaY - deltaX)
@@ -71,11 +76,14 @@ func lineLow (
 
 func lineHigh (
 	destination tomo.Canvas,
-	source tomo.Image,
+	source Pattern,
 	weight int,
 	min image.Point,
 	max image.Point,
+	width, height int,
 ) {
+	data, stride := destination.Buffer()
+
 	deltaX := max.X - min.X
 	deltaY := max.Y - min.Y
 	xi     := 1
@@ -89,7 +97,7 @@ func lineHigh (
 	x := min.X
 
 	for y := min.Y; y < max.Y; y ++ {
-		destination.SetRGBA(x, y, source.RGBAAt(x, y))
+		data[x + y * stride] = source.AtWhen(x, y, width, height)
 		if D > 0 {
 			x += xi
 			D += 2 * (deltaX - deltaY)
diff --git a/artist/rectangle.go b/artist/rectangle.go
index 3a56bdb..3b613be 100644
--- a/artist/rectangle.go
+++ b/artist/rectangle.go
@@ -1,105 +1,51 @@
 package artist
 
 import "image"
-import "image/color"
 import "git.tebibyte.media/sashakoshka/tomo"
 
-// Paste transfers one image onto another, offset by the specified point.
+// Paste transfers one canvas onto another, offset by the specified point.
 func Paste (
 	destination tomo.Canvas,
-	source tomo.Image,
+	source tomo.Canvas,
 	offset image.Point,
 ) (
 	updatedRegion image.Rectangle,
 ) {
-	sourceBounds := source.Bounds().Canon()
+	dstData, dstStride := destination.Buffer()
+	srcData, srcStride := source.Buffer()
+
+	sourceBounds :=
+		source.Bounds().Canon().
+		Intersect(destination.Bounds().Sub(offset))
+	if sourceBounds.Empty() { return }
+	
 	updatedRegion = sourceBounds.Add(offset)
 	for y := sourceBounds.Min.Y; y < sourceBounds.Max.Y; y ++ {
 	for x := sourceBounds.Min.X; x < sourceBounds.Max.X; x ++ {
-		destination.SetRGBA (
-			x + offset.X, y + offset.Y,
-			source.RGBAAt(x, y))
+		dstData[x + offset.X + (y + offset.Y) * dstStride] =
+			srcData[x + y * srcStride]
 	}}
 
 	return
 }
 
-// Rectangle draws a rectangle with an inset border. If the border image is nil,
-// no border will be drawn. Likewise, if the fill image is nil, the rectangle
-// will have no fill.
-func Rectangle (
+func FillRectangle (
 	destination tomo.Canvas,
-	fill   tomo.Image,
-	stroke tomo.Image,
-	weight int,
+	source Pattern,
 	bounds image.Rectangle,
 ) (
 	updatedRegion image.Rectangle,
 ) {
-	bounds = bounds.Canon()
+	data, stride := destination.Buffer()
+	bounds = bounds.Canon().Intersect(destination.Bounds()).Canon()
+	if bounds.Empty() { return }
 	updatedRegion = bounds
 
-	fillBounds := bounds
-	fillBounds.Min = fillBounds.Min.Add(image.Point { weight, weight })
-	fillBounds.Max = fillBounds.Max.Sub(image.Point { weight, weight })
-	fillBounds = fillBounds.Canon()
-
-	for y := bounds.Min.Y; y < bounds.Max.Y; y ++ {
-	for x := bounds.Min.X; x < bounds.Max.X; x ++ {
-		var pixel color.RGBA
-		if (image.Point { x, y }).In(fillBounds) {
-			pixel = fill.RGBAAt(x, y)
-		} else {
-			pixel = stroke.RGBAAt(x, y)
-		}
-		destination.SetRGBA(x, y, pixel)
+	width, height := bounds.Dx(), bounds.Dy()
+	for y := 0; y < height; y ++ {
+	for x := 0; x < width;  x ++ {
+		data[x + bounds.Min.X + (y + bounds.Min.Y) * stride] =
+			source.AtWhen(x, y, width, height)
 	}}
-	
-	return
-}
-
-// OffsetRectangle is the same as Rectangle, but offsets the border image to the
-// top left corner of the border and the fill image to the top left corner of
-// the fill.
-func OffsetRectangle (
-	destination tomo.Canvas,
-	fill   tomo.Image,
-	stroke tomo.Image,
-	weight int,
-	bounds image.Rectangle,
-) (
-	updatedRegion image.Rectangle,
-) {
-	bounds = bounds.Canon()
-	updatedRegion = bounds
-
-	fillBounds := bounds
-	fillBounds.Min = fillBounds.Min.Add(image.Point { weight, weight })
-	fillBounds.Max = fillBounds.Max.Sub(image.Point { weight, weight })
-	fillBounds = fillBounds.Canon()
-
-	strokeImageMin := stroke.Bounds().Min
-	fillImageMin   := fill.Bounds().Min
-
-	yy := 0
-	for y := bounds.Min.Y; y < bounds.Max.Y; y ++ {
-		xx := 0
-		for x := bounds.Min.X; x < bounds.Max.X; x ++ {
-			var pixel color.RGBA
-			if (image.Point { x, y }).In(fillBounds) {
-				pixel = fill.RGBAAt (
-					xx - weight + fillImageMin.X,
-					yy - weight + fillImageMin.Y)
-			} else {
-				pixel = stroke.RGBAAt (
-					xx + strokeImageMin.X,
-					yy + strokeImageMin.Y)
-			}
-			destination.SetRGBA(x, y, pixel)
-			xx ++
-		}
-		yy ++
-	}
-	
 	return
 }
diff --git a/artist/text.go b/artist/text.go
index 1afd741..b1c1e61 100644
--- a/artist/text.go
+++ b/artist/text.go
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ package artist
 // import "fmt"
 import "image"
 import "unicode"
-import "image/draw"
+// import "image/draw"
 import "golang.org/x/image/font"
 import "golang.org/x/image/math/fixed"
 import "git.tebibyte.media/sashakoshka/tomo"
@@ -95,34 +95,35 @@ func (drawer *TextDrawer) SetAlignment (align Align) {
 // Draw draws the drawer's text onto the specified canvas at the given offset.
 func (drawer *TextDrawer) Draw (
 	destination tomo.Canvas,
-	source      tomo.Image,
+	source      Pattern,
 	offset      image.Point,
 ) (
 	updatedRegion image.Rectangle,
 ) {
 	if !drawer.layoutClean { drawer.recalculate() }
-	for _, word := range drawer.layout {
-	for _, character := range word.text {
-		destinationRectangle,
-		mask, maskPoint, _, ok := drawer.face.Glyph (
-			fixed.P (
-				offset.X + word.position.X + character.x,
-				offset.Y + word.position.Y),
-			character.character)
-		if !ok { continue }
+	// TODO: reimplement a version of draw mask that takes in a pattern
+	// for _, word := range drawer.layout {
+	// for _, character := range word.text {
+		// destinationRectangle,
+		// mask, maskPoint, _, ok := drawer.face.Glyph (
+			// fixed.P (
+				// offset.X + word.position.X + character.x,
+				// offset.Y + word.position.Y),
+			// character.character)
+		// if !ok { continue }
 
 		// FIXME: clip destination rectangle if we are on the cusp of
 		// the maximum height.
 
-		draw.DrawMask (
-			destination,
-			destinationRectangle,
-			source, image.Point { },
-			mask, maskPoint,
-			draw.Over)
+		// draw.DrawMask (
+			// destination,
+			// destinationRectangle,
+			// source, image.Point { },
+			// mask, maskPoint,
+			// draw.Over)
 
-		updatedRegion = updatedRegion.Union(destinationRectangle)
-	}}
+		// updatedRegion = updatedRegion.Union(destinationRectangle)
+	// }}
 	return
 }
 
diff --git a/artist/uniform.go b/artist/uniform.go
index 2f99385..e50923e 100644
--- a/artist/uniform.go
+++ b/artist/uniform.go
@@ -3,8 +3,8 @@ package artist
 import "image"
 import "image/color"
 
-// Uniform is an infinite-sized Image of uniform color. It implements the
-// color.Color, color.Model, and tomo.Image interfaces.
+// Uniform is an infinite-sized pattern of uniform color. It implements the
+// color.Color, color.Model, and image.Image interfaces.
 type Uniform struct {
 	C color.RGBA
 }
@@ -29,13 +29,11 @@ func (uniform *Uniform) RGBA () (r, g, b, a uint32) {
 }
 
 func (uniform *Uniform) ColorModel () (model color.Model) {
-	model = uniform
-	return
+	return uniform
 }
 
-func (uniform *Uniform) Convert (in color.Color) (out color.Color) {
-	out = uniform.C
-	return
+func (uniform *Uniform) Convert (in color.Color) (c color.Color) {
+	return uniform.C
 }
 
 func (uniform *Uniform) Bounds () (rectangle image.Rectangle) {
@@ -45,13 +43,11 @@ func (uniform *Uniform) Bounds () (rectangle image.Rectangle) {
 }
 
 func (uniform *Uniform) At (x, y int) (c color.Color) {
-	c = uniform.C
-	return
+	return uniform.C
 }
 
-func (uniform *Uniform) RGBAAt (x, y int) (c color.RGBA) {
-	c = uniform.C
-	return
+func (uniform *Uniform) AtWhen (x, y, width, height int) (c color.RGBA) {
+	return uniform.C
 }
 
 func (uniform *Uniform) RGBA64At (x, y int) (c color.RGBA64) {
@@ -59,13 +55,10 @@ func (uniform *Uniform) RGBA64At (x, y int) (c color.RGBA64) {
 	g := uint16(uniform.C.G) << 8 | uint16(uniform.C.G)
 	b := uint16(uniform.C.B) << 8 | uint16(uniform.C.B)
 	a := uint16(uniform.C.A) << 8 | uint16(uniform.C.A)
-	
-	c = color.RGBA64 { R: r, G: g, B: b, A: a }
-	return
+	return color.RGBA64 { R: r, G: g, B: b, A: a }
 }
 
 // Opaque scans the entire image and reports whether it is fully opaque.
 func (uniform *Uniform) Opaque () (opaque bool) {
-	opaque = uniform.C.A == 0xFF
-	return
+	return uniform.C.A == 0xFF
 }
diff --git a/artist/wrap.go b/artist/wrap.go
index e6a4ed5..530e53f 100644
--- a/artist/wrap.go
+++ b/artist/wrap.go
@@ -1,99 +1 @@
 package artist
-
-import "git.tebibyte.media/sashakoshka/tomo"
-
-import "image"
-import "image/draw"
-import "image/color"
-
-// WrappedImage wraps an image.Image and allows it to satisfy tomo.Image.
-type WrappedImage struct { Underlying image.Image }
-
-// WrapImage wraps a generic image.Image and allows it to satisfy tomo.Image.
-// Do not use this function to wrap images that already satisfy tomo.Image,
-// because the resulting wrapped image will be rather slow in comparison.
-func WrapImage (underlying image.Image) (wrapped tomo.Image) {
-	wrapped = WrappedImage { Underlying: underlying }
-	return
-}
-
-func (wrapped WrappedImage) Bounds () (bounds image.Rectangle) {
-	bounds = wrapped.Underlying.Bounds()
-	return
-}
-
-func (wrapped WrappedImage) ColorModel () (model color.Model) {
-	model = wrapped.Underlying.ColorModel()
-	return
-}
-
-func (wrapped WrappedImage) At (x, y int) (pixel color.Color) {
-	pixel = wrapped.Underlying.At(x, y)
-	return
-}
-
-func (wrapped WrappedImage) RGBAAt (x, y int) (pixel color.RGBA) {
-	r, g, b, a := wrapped.Underlying.At(x, y).RGBA()
-	pixel.R = uint8(r >> 8)
-	pixel.G = uint8(g >> 8)
-	pixel.B = uint8(b >> 8)
-	pixel.A = uint8(a >> 8)
-	return
-}
-
-// WrappedCanvas wraps a draw.Image and allows it to satisfy tomo.Canvas.
-type WrappedCanvas struct { Underlying draw.Image }
-
-// WrapCanvas wraps a generic draw.Image and allows it to satisfy tomo.Canvas.
-// Do not use this function to wrap images that already satisfy tomo.Canvas,
-// because the resulting wrapped image will be rather slow in comparison.
-func WrapCanvas (underlying draw.Image) (wrapped tomo.Canvas) {
-	wrapped = WrappedCanvas { Underlying: underlying }
-	return
-}
-
-func (wrapped WrappedCanvas) Bounds () (bounds image.Rectangle) {
-	bounds = wrapped.Underlying.Bounds()
-	return
-}
-
-func (wrapped WrappedCanvas) ColorModel () (model color.Model) {
-	model = wrapped.Underlying.ColorModel()
-	return
-}
-
-func (wrapped WrappedCanvas) At (x, y int) (pixel color.Color) {
-	pixel = wrapped.Underlying.At(x, y)
-	return
-}
-
-func (wrapped WrappedCanvas) RGBAAt (x, y int) (pixel color.RGBA) {
-	r, g, b, a := wrapped.Underlying.At(x, y).RGBA()
-	pixel.R = uint8(r >> 8)
-	pixel.G = uint8(g >> 8)
-	pixel.B = uint8(b >> 8)
-	pixel.A = uint8(a >> 8)
-	return
-}
-
-func (wrapped WrappedCanvas) Set (x, y int, pixel color.Color) {
-	wrapped.Underlying.Set(x, y, pixel)
-}
-
-func (wrapped WrappedCanvas) SetRGBA (x, y int, pixel color.RGBA) {
-	wrapped.Underlying.Set(x, y, pixel)
-}
-
-// ToRGBA clones an existing image.Image into an image.RGBA struct, which
-// directly satisfies tomo.Image. This is useful for things like icons and
-// textures.
-func ToRGBA (input image.Image) (output *image.RGBA) {
-	bounds := input.Bounds()
-	output = image.NewRGBA(bounds)
-	
-	for y := bounds.Min.Y; y < bounds.Max.Y; y ++ {
-	for x := bounds.Min.X; x < bounds.Max.X; x ++ {
-		output.Set(x, y, input.At(x, y))
-	}}
-	return
-}
diff --git a/backends/x/window.go b/backends/x/window.go
index 7e59760..b2f3f7b 100644
--- a/backends/x/window.go
+++ b/backends/x/window.go
@@ -187,8 +187,9 @@ func (window *Window) reallocateCanvas () {
 }
 
 func (window *Window) redrawChildEntirely () {
+	data, stride := window.child.Buffer()
 	window.xCanvas.For (func (x, y int) (c xgraphics.BGRA) {
-		rgba := window.child.RGBAAt(x, y)
+		rgba := data[x + y * stride]
 		c.R, c.G, c.B, c.A = rgba.R, rgba.G, rgba.B, rgba.A
 		return
 	})
@@ -206,13 +207,14 @@ func (window *Window) resizeChildToFit () {
 	window.redrawChildEntirely()
 }
 
-func (window *Window) childDrawCallback (region tomo.Image) {
+func (window *Window) childDrawCallback (region tomo.Canvas) {
 	if window.skipChildDrawCallback { return }
 
+	data, stride := region.Buffer()
 	bounds := region.Bounds()
 	for x := bounds.Min.X; x < bounds.Max.X; x ++ {
 	for y := bounds.Min.Y; y < bounds.Max.Y; y ++ {
-		rgba := region.RGBAAt(x, y)
+		rgba := data[x + y * stride]
 		window.xCanvas.SetBGRA (x, y, xgraphics.BGRA {
 			R: rgba.R,
 			G: rgba.G,
diff --git a/canvas.go b/canvas.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f51c74a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/canvas.go
@@ -0,0 +1,70 @@
+package tomo
+
+import "image"
+import "image/draw"
+import "image/color"
+
+// Canvas is like Image but also requires Set and SetRGBA methods. This
+// interface can be easily satisfied using an image.RGBA struct.
+type Canvas interface {
+	draw.Image
+	Buffer () (data []color.RGBA, stride int)
+}
+
+// BasicCanvas is a general purpose implementation of tomo.Canvas.
+type BasicCanvas struct {
+	pix    []color.RGBA
+	stride int
+	rect   image.Rectangle
+}
+
+// NewBasicCanvas creates a new basic canvas with the specified width and
+// height, allocating a buffer for it.
+func NewBasicCanvas (width, height int) (canvas BasicCanvas) {
+	canvas.pix    = make([]color.RGBA, height * width)
+	canvas.stride = width
+	canvas.rect = image.Rect(0, 0, width, height)
+	return
+}
+
+// you know what it do
+func (canvas BasicCanvas) Bounds () (bounds image.Rectangle) {
+	return canvas.rect
+}
+
+// you know what it do
+func (canvas BasicCanvas) At (x, y int) (color.Color) {
+	if !image.Pt(x, y).In(canvas.rect) { return nil }
+	return canvas.pix[x + y * canvas.stride]
+}
+
+// you know what it do
+func (canvas BasicCanvas) ColorModel () (model color.Model) {
+	return color.RGBAModel
+}
+
+// you know what it do
+func (canvas BasicCanvas) Set (x, y int, c color.Color) {
+	if !image.Pt(x, y).In(canvas.rect) { return }
+	r, g, b, a := c.RGBA()
+	canvas.pix[x + y * canvas.stride] = color.RGBA {
+		R: uint8(r >> 8),
+		G: uint8(g >> 8),
+		B: uint8(b >> 8),
+		A: uint8(a >> 8),
+	}
+}
+
+// you know what it do
+func (canvas BasicCanvas) Buffer () (data []color.RGBA, stride int) {
+	return canvas.pix, canvas.stride
+}
+
+// Cut returns a sub-canvas of a given canvas.
+func Cut (canvas Canvas, bounds image.Rectangle) (reduced BasicCanvas) {
+	bounds = bounds.Intersect(canvas.Bounds())
+	if bounds.Empty() { return }
+	reduced.rect = bounds
+	reduced.pix, reduced.stride = canvas.Buffer()
+	return
+}
diff --git a/elements/basic/container.go b/elements/basic/container.go
index 0ae02eb..886f98c 100644
--- a/elements/basic/container.go
+++ b/elements/basic/container.go
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ func (element *Container) Adopt (child tomo.Element, expand bool) {
 			
 			return
 		},
-		Draw: func (region tomo.Image) {
+		Draw: func (region tomo.Canvas) {
 			element.drawChildRegion(child, region)
 		},
 	})
@@ -318,10 +318,9 @@ func (element *Container) recalculate () {
 func (element *Container) draw () {
 	bounds := element.core.Bounds()
 
-	artist.Rectangle (
+	artist.FillRectangle (
 		element.core,
 		theme.BackgroundImage(),
-		nil, 0,
 		bounds)
 
 	for _, entry := range element.children {
@@ -329,7 +328,7 @@ func (element *Container) draw () {
 	}
 }
 
-func (element *Container) drawChildRegion (child tomo.Element, region tomo.Image) {
+func (element *Container) drawChildRegion (child tomo.Element, region tomo.Canvas) {
 	if element.warping { return }
 	for _, entry := range element.children {
 		if entry.Element == child {
diff --git a/elements/basic/label.go b/elements/basic/label.go
index f9b9186..6304afd 100644
--- a/elements/basic/label.go
+++ b/elements/basic/label.go
@@ -93,10 +93,9 @@ func (element *Label) updateMinimumSize () {
 func (element *Label) draw () {
 	bounds := element.core.Bounds()
 
-	artist.Rectangle (
+	artist.FillRectangle (
 		element.core,
 		theme.BackgroundImage(),
-		nil, 0,
 		bounds)
 
 	textBounds := element.drawer.LayoutBounds()
diff --git a/elements/core/core.go b/elements/core/core.go
index e678227..cb12959 100644
--- a/elements/core/core.go
+++ b/elements/core/core.go
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ import "git.tebibyte.media/sashakoshka/tomo"
 // Core is a struct that implements some core functionality common to most
 // widgets. It is meant to be embedded directly into a struct.
 type Core struct {
-	canvas *image.RGBA
+	canvas tomo.BasicCanvas
 	parent tomo.Element
 
 	metrics struct {
@@ -32,20 +32,19 @@ func (core Core) ColorModel () (model color.Model) {
 }
 
 func (core Core) At (x, y int) (pixel color.Color) {
-	if core.canvas == nil { return color.RGBA { } }
-	pixel = core.canvas.At(x, y)
-	return
-}
-
-func (core Core) RGBAAt (x, y int) (pixel color.RGBA) {
-	if core.canvas == nil { return color.RGBA { } }
-	pixel = core.canvas.RGBAAt(x, y)
-	return
+	return core.canvas.At(x, y)
 }
 
 func (core Core) Bounds () (bounds image.Rectangle) {
-	if core.canvas != nil { bounds = core.canvas.Bounds() }
-	return
+	return core.canvas.Bounds()
+}
+
+func (core Core) Set (x, y int, c color.Color) () {
+	core.canvas.Set(x, y, c)
+}
+
+func (core Core) Buffer () (data []color.RGBA, stride int) {
+	return core.canvas.Buffer()
 }
 
 func (core Core) Selectable () (selectable bool) {
@@ -72,13 +71,12 @@ func (core Core) MinimumSize () (width, height int) {
 // be used as a canvas. It must not be directly embedded into an element, but
 // instead kept as a private member.
 type CoreControl struct {
-	*image.RGBA
+	tomo.BasicCanvas
 	core *Core
 }
 
-func (control CoreControl) HasImage () (has bool) {
-	has = control.RGBA != nil
-	return
+func (control CoreControl) HasImage () (empty bool) {
+	return !control.Bounds().Empty()
 }
 
 func (control CoreControl) Select () (granted bool) {
@@ -98,7 +96,7 @@ func (control CoreControl) SetSelectable (selectable bool) {
 }
 
 func (control CoreControl) PushRegion (bounds image.Rectangle) {
-	control.core.hooks.RunDraw(control.SubImage(bounds).(*image.RGBA))
+	control.core.hooks.RunDraw(tomo.Cut(control, bounds))
 }
 
 func (control CoreControl) PushAll () {
@@ -108,8 +106,8 @@ func (control CoreControl) PushAll () {
 func (control *CoreControl) AllocateCanvas (width, height int) {
 	core := control.core
 	width, height, _ = control.ConstrainSize(width, height)
-	core.canvas  = image.NewRGBA(image.Rect (0, 0, width, height))
-	control.RGBA = core.canvas
+	core.canvas  = tomo.NewBasicCanvas(width, height)
+	control.BasicCanvas = core.canvas
 }
 
 func (control CoreControl) SetMinimumSize (width, height int) {
@@ -125,19 +123,17 @@ func (control CoreControl) SetMinimumSize (width, height int) {
 
 	// if there is an image buffer, and the current size is less
 	// than this new minimum size, send core.parent a resize event.
-	if control.HasImage() {
-		bounds := control.Bounds()
-		imageWidth,
-		imageHeight,
-		constrained := control.ConstrainSize (
-			bounds.Dx(),
-			bounds.Dy())
-		if constrained {
-			core.parent.Handle (tomo.EventResize {
-				Width:  imageWidth,
-				Height: imageHeight,
-			})
-		}
+	bounds := control.Bounds()
+	imageWidth,
+	imageHeight,
+	constrained := control.ConstrainSize (
+		bounds.Dx(),
+		bounds.Dy())
+	if constrained {
+		core.parent.Handle (tomo.EventResize {
+			Width:  imageWidth,
+			Height: imageHeight,
+		})
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/elements/fun/clock.go b/elements/fun/clock.go
index d4f7f0a..6a97314 100644
--- a/elements/fun/clock.go
+++ b/elements/fun/clock.go
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ func (element *AnalogClock) draw () {
 }
 
 func (element *AnalogClock) radialLine (
-	source tomo.Image,
+	source artist.Pattern,
 	inner  float64,
 	outer  float64,
 	radian float64,
diff --git a/elements/testing/mouse.go b/elements/testing/mouse.go
index 30a7c3b..6c4a90f 100644
--- a/elements/testing/mouse.go
+++ b/elements/testing/mouse.go
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ type Mouse struct {
 	*core.Core
 	core core.CoreControl
 	drawing      bool
-	color        tomo.Image
+	color        artist.Pattern
 	lastMousePos image.Point
 }
 
@@ -33,11 +33,11 @@ func (element *Mouse) Handle (event tomo.Event) {
 		element.core.AllocateCanvas (
 			resizeEvent.Width,
 			resizeEvent.Height)
-		artist.Rectangle (
+		artist.FillRectangle (
 			element.core,
 			theme.AccentImage(),
-			artist.NewUniform(color.Black),
-			1, element.Bounds())
+			element.Bounds())
+		// TODO: draw a stroked rectangle around the edges
 		artist.Line (
 			element.core, artist.NewUniform(color.White), 1,
 			image.Pt(1, 1),
diff --git a/theme/theme.go b/theme/theme.go
index b638a4e..6ee9921 100644
--- a/theme/theme.go
+++ b/theme/theme.go
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@ package theme
 import "image"
 import "image/color"
 import "golang.org/x/image/font"
-import "git.tebibyte.media/sashakoshka/tomo"
 import "git.tebibyte.media/sashakoshka/tomo/artist"
 import "git.tebibyte.media/sashakoshka/tomo/defaultfont"
 
@@ -151,34 +150,34 @@ func InputProfile (enabled bool, selected bool) artist.ShadingProfile {
 
 // BackgroundImage returns the texture/color used for the fill of
 // BackgroundProfile.
-func BackgroundImage () tomo.Image {
+func BackgroundImage () artist.Pattern {
 	return backgroundImage
 }
 
 // RaisedImage returns the texture/color used for the fill of RaisedProfile.
-func RaisedImage () tomo.Image {
+func RaisedImage () artist.Pattern {
 	return raisedImage
 }
 
 // InputImage returns the texture/color used for the fill of InputProfile.
-func InputImage () tomo.Image {
+func InputImage () artist.Pattern {
 	return inputImage
 }
 
 // ForegroundImage returns the texture/color text and monochromatic icons should
 // be drawn with.
-func ForegroundImage () tomo.Image {
+func ForegroundImage () artist.Pattern {
 	return foregroundImage
 }
 
 // DisabledForegroundImage returns the texture/color text and monochromatic
 // icons should be drawn with if they are disabled.
-func DisabledForegroundImage () tomo.Image {
+func DisabledForegroundImage () artist.Pattern {
 	return disabledForegroundImage
 }
 
 // AccentImage returns the accent texture/color.
-func AccentImage () tomo.Image {
+func AccentImage () artist.Pattern {
 	return accentImage
 }
 
diff --git a/tomo.go b/tomo.go
index 8005841..134eccc 100644
--- a/tomo.go
+++ b/tomo.go
@@ -2,25 +2,6 @@ package tomo
 
 import "image"
 import "errors"
-import "image/draw"
-import "image/color"
-
-// Image represents a simple image buffer that fulfills the image.Image
-// interface while also having methods that do away with the use of the
-// color.Color interface to facilitate more efficient drawing. This interface
-// can be easily satisfied using an image.RGBA struct.
-type Image interface {
-	image.Image
-	RGBAAt (x, y int) (c color.RGBA)
-}
-
-// Canvas is like Image but also requires Set and SetRGBA methods. This
-// interface can be easily satisfied using an image.RGBA struct.
-type Canvas interface {
-	draw.Image
-	RGBAAt (x, y int) (c color.RGBA)
-	SetRGBA (x, y int, c color.RGBA)
-}
 
 // ParentHooks is a struct that contains callbacks that let child elements send
 // information to their parent element without the child element knowing
@@ -29,7 +10,7 @@ type Canvas interface {
 type ParentHooks struct {
 	// Draw is called when a part of the child element's surface is updated.
 	// The updated region will be passed to the callback as a sub-image.
-	Draw func (region Image)
+	Draw func (region Canvas)
 
 	// MinimumSizeChange is called when the child element's minimum width
 	// and/or height changes. When this function is called, the element will
@@ -49,7 +30,7 @@ type ParentHooks struct {
 }
 
 // RunDraw runs the Draw hook if it is not nil. If it is nil, it does nothing.
-func (hooks ParentHooks) RunDraw (region Image) {
+func (hooks ParentHooks) RunDraw (region Canvas) {
 	if hooks.Draw != nil {
 		hooks.Draw(region)
 	}
@@ -82,10 +63,10 @@ func (hooks ParentHooks) RunSelectabilityChange (selectable bool) {
 
 // Element represents a basic on-screen object.
 type Element interface {
-	// Element must implement the Image interface. Elements should start out
-	// with a completely blank image buffer, and only set its size and draw
+	// Element must implement the Canvas interface. Elements should start
+	// out with a completely blank buffer, and only allocate memory and draw
 	// on it for the first time when sent an EventResize event.
-	Image
+	Canvas
 
 	// Handle handles an event, propagating it to children if necessary.
 	Handle (event Event)