Stretching Canvas?

[sxulcmnky]

Ok so i have painted for a few years and have never learned how to stretch a canvas. I haven't painted in awhile because i haven't had the money to get to the store to get some. anyways... do any of you talented people know how to stretch canvas and perhaps would you be willing to show me :D

[tinybinderclip]

Ok so i have painted for a few years and have never learned how to stretch a canvas. I haven't painted in awhile because i haven't had the money to get to the store to get some. anyways... do any of you talented people know how to stretch canvas and perhaps would you be willing to show me :D

I know how to stretch a canvas. It's not hard, but if mess up you can take the staples out and try again. Think of it as tightly wrapping a present but you use canvas and staples instead.

Do you have specific questions? My first suggestion would be to look at the back of a canvas that's already stretched so you know what it's supposed to look like. Yours won't look exactly like that you'll get the idea. It's kind of hard to explain without doing with you.

[retail]

it's really simple, and if you have a good art store nearby they would most likely be happy to show you, as well as recommending the right grade of canvas and stretcher for what you want to do, etc.

[tinybinderclip]

You also need a pair of canvas pliers, otherwise you'r not going to get it tight enough.
http://www.dickblick.com/categories/canvaspliers/

[retail]

You also need a pair of canvas pliers, otherwise you'r not going to get it tight enough.


not really true - these are more useful for canvas that has already been primed (which I would avoid like the plague if at all possible)

otherwise you just need strong fingers :)

[tinybinderclip]

not really true - these are more useful for canvas that has already been primed (which I would avoid like the plague if at all possible)

otherwise you just need strong fingers :)

If you want to save your fingers (or don't have strong ass fingers) then I would use canvas pliers.

[sxulcmnky]

thanks guys

[Pressurepoint]

Ironically I just stretched 2 last night. It definitely saves $ to buy raw canvas and stretch it yourself. As you probably already know, stretcher bars/frames are very inexpensive.

You don't need the pliers as long as you maintain the tension while stretching and stapling from opposite sides. Once the gesso dries, the canvas usually tightens up a bit. And you can actually overstretch if you're not careful and this can warp your canvas after the gesso dries.

I start in the middle and work toward the corners. That way you can take up any slack as you reach the corners. As someone mentioned, fold the excess like gift wrapping.

It's important to cut your canvas with only about a 1-2 inch margin of overlap all the way around before stretching so you don't have an excessive amount left in the way, which might make the corner folds look bulky. I prefer to staple on the backside rather than on the edges. Good luck!

[BPMninja]

Get someone to walk through the process with you. Seeing it actually done will make it so much more simple.