Some people like to make their own canvasses. Therefore this is intended as a "how to do it" guide. What is the canvas made of you may ask? It actually is a substance derived from the flax plants which is called linen. It is quite strong and most of this I would imagine comes from Belgium and Ireland. You can buy it by the meter in art shops.
Buying canvasses now in any number of retail outlets is comparatively easy and they are also relatively cheap. Even so, some people always make their own. They might want to make non standard sizes, so for anyone new to this, this is how you do it - buying canvas by the metre.
Therefore, you will need your own stretcher to start with. These actually are pieces of wood that will slot together. A staple gun with some staples, wedges, acrylic gesso, of course some canvas, scissors, some sort of hammer, plus a small household paintbrush. A word of warning, do not buy real gesso as it is not too flexible and it is made from chalk.
So, the canvas frame is made up by slotting your four wooden pieces together. Your canvas has to go right across this, leaving a generous two inches extra at all four sides. At this point take your scissors and cut the canvas. You need to start stapling the wood to the canvas on the longest side in the middle. When you have done this, pull the canvas across so that it is very tight and staple the middle to the other side.
The same happens on the other 2 sides. What I do then, is to begin stapling one at a time, alternately one side, then the other across the frame from the centre staple. Face your frame face downwards working in the same style on the back of the canvas.
This should keep it pretty firm. I personally do not like the staples down the sides, so I would probably go straight to the back. Then you have the corners to sort out, so try to flatten them well before stapling. Now the hammer comes into play.
Take the support wedges and very carefully, with the hammer, in the back four corners, tap them in. What you need to then do, is with your paintbrush, apply a couple of layers of acrylic gesso. Make sure that the first coat is dry first of course.
Now, if you want to use the ready made canvasses, what should you be looking for? These are usually made of cotton duck or linen, but sometimes they also have synthetics in them. There is often a good assortment of sizes, but it is better to consider what type of texture you need.
Fine detailed work requires a canvas that is very fine woven. An open weave may result in being an ideal to making a rougher look to your work as it usually peeps through.
Painting boards usually come readily primed with acrylic. Dual purpose, usable for oils or acrylics. However, paint will flake if you use acrylic paint on an oil based board as these should only be used for oils. - 20760
Buying canvasses now in any number of retail outlets is comparatively easy and they are also relatively cheap. Even so, some people always make their own. They might want to make non standard sizes, so for anyone new to this, this is how you do it - buying canvas by the metre.
Therefore, you will need your own stretcher to start with. These actually are pieces of wood that will slot together. A staple gun with some staples, wedges, acrylic gesso, of course some canvas, scissors, some sort of hammer, plus a small household paintbrush. A word of warning, do not buy real gesso as it is not too flexible and it is made from chalk.
So, the canvas frame is made up by slotting your four wooden pieces together. Your canvas has to go right across this, leaving a generous two inches extra at all four sides. At this point take your scissors and cut the canvas. You need to start stapling the wood to the canvas on the longest side in the middle. When you have done this, pull the canvas across so that it is very tight and staple the middle to the other side.
The same happens on the other 2 sides. What I do then, is to begin stapling one at a time, alternately one side, then the other across the frame from the centre staple. Face your frame face downwards working in the same style on the back of the canvas.
This should keep it pretty firm. I personally do not like the staples down the sides, so I would probably go straight to the back. Then you have the corners to sort out, so try to flatten them well before stapling. Now the hammer comes into play.
Take the support wedges and very carefully, with the hammer, in the back four corners, tap them in. What you need to then do, is with your paintbrush, apply a couple of layers of acrylic gesso. Make sure that the first coat is dry first of course.
Now, if you want to use the ready made canvasses, what should you be looking for? These are usually made of cotton duck or linen, but sometimes they also have synthetics in them. There is often a good assortment of sizes, but it is better to consider what type of texture you need.
Fine detailed work requires a canvas that is very fine woven. An open weave may result in being an ideal to making a rougher look to your work as it usually peeps through.
Painting boards usually come readily primed with acrylic. Dual purpose, usable for oils or acrylics. However, paint will flake if you use acrylic paint on an oil based board as these should only be used for oils. - 20760
About the Author:
Anna Meenaghan is a contemporary artist who has been participating in the arts most of her life. As a contemporary painter she is well able to offer advice on most art subjects and enjoys passing on her knowledge in the form of tips to all art newbies and art enthusiasts. I have greatly benefited from her advice. Comment by Michael Bruckner.
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