I have seen where people will used silicone caulking on the backs of rugs to give them the (non)slip.
I bought 2 pieces outdoor rug material-by-the-foot at one of the home center chains a couple years ago and then painted it with craft paint mixed with textile medium. They have held up quite well to all the weather and wear & tear. I cut stencils to get my design and they worked very well for that. Not sure they’d be a surface I’d want to do my crafting on, though. I also work quite a bit on the floor and these might have too much give for that.
I do second (third? fourth?) checking out canvas drop cloths and will suggest an actual paint store where supplies tend to be more serious/professional and staff tend to actually, really know their stuff. (former specialty painting contractor here)