How To Make A CANVAS: Build, Assemble, Stretch, & Gesso

A how-to of the entire canvas making process! In this video, I discuss and demonstrate how to build, stretch, and prime an artist canvas. There are many methods to build the wooden stretcher bar frame... I go over how to build them with power tools, hand tools, and how to assemble pre-made stretcher bars. In addition, I overview canvas, both linen and cotton duck. Then I demonstrate how to properly stretch and fasten canvas. And finally, I discuss gesso/primer and demonstrate the techniques and concepts of priming your canvas.
This video is meant for all skill levels.
Here is the chapter list...
00:00 - Introduction
01:28 - Building A Frame w/Power Tools
07:41 - Building A Frame w/Hand Tools
09:58 - Assembling Pre-Made Stretcher Bars
12:46 - Canvas Stretching
22:34 - Primer & Gesso
Enjoy and thanks for watching!
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Music:
- "Members Only" by TrackTribe
- "Walk Through The Park" by TrackTribe
- "A Brand New Start" by TrackTribe
- "Demilitarized Zone" by Ethan Meixsell
- "No.1 A Minor Waltz" by Esther Abrami
- "Cat Circus" by Doug Maxwell
- "Outlaw's Farewell" by Reed Mathis
- "Sunshine On Sand" by Unicorn Heads

[@michaeljohnnolan]

Learning how to oil paint? Check out my playlist, "Oil Painting Basics" kzbin.info/aero/PL74fFkdTaHAjFKbih_nnpuEJQvG9jUaA7

[@jamesedwards7844]

Too neat, Thank You! I believe your antics with characters like Skully, & David, would make this instructional that much more fun for children to get into.

[@michaeljohnnolan]

Awesome! I am overjoyed you liked the video. And that is too cool. Not a bad idea at all. My sister's kids seem to like the videos. Thanks for the support.

[@gingergreen4569]

Your best video yet! Hermes has me screaming lol

[@michaeljohnnolan]

Haha! Awesome! I think the small arms was your idea...right? Either way, he needs some googly eyes! :)

[@gingergreen4569]

@@michaeljohnnolan ooh! I have some Googly eyes for you!!

[@savannahfitzsimmons707]

This is THE definitive canvas making video. Thanks for the wealth of information-- wow!

[@michaeljohnnolan]

Glad you think so! I am so glad it was helpful. Cheers!

[@everettehungerford2858]

Thanks to you I bought some quarter-rounds and 1x2's and made my first stretcher bars. Tomorrow I'll stretch my first canvas, very excited!

[@michaeljohnnolan]

Awesome!!! That made my day. So cool! Thank you for letting me know. Good luck with the canvas stretching. Please let me know if you have any questions. Good luck and cheers!

[@everettehungerford2858]

@@michaeljohnnolan I actually do have a question, though not about your process. I grabbed 7oz cotton duck and then reviewed your video again and saw that you recommend heavier weight for larger canvases. So If I am primarily looking to make canvas in the 2ish feet plus size, is my 7oz too light? I haven't cut up the canvas yet so there's still time for a return. BTW your channel is way underrated, it's only a matter of time until the algo picks you up!

[@everettehungerford2858]

Never mind, asking the question answered the question. 😂 I got some 12oz on the way from Jerry's.

[@michaeljohnnolan]

@@everettehungerford2858 Thanks for the questions and for the kind words. Anyway, you are right, 10-12 oz canvas is a general good weight for most sizes, especially under 4'x4'. For larger paintings, I would use a 15oz. Glad I answered it in the video. I forgot if I did. Anyway, 7oz is okay... but not great. That is closer to what the premade Fredrix canvases use. Easily torn and the rigidity of the surface leaves something to be desired. I personally like a much firmer surface. Best of luck with the stretch!

[@everettehungerford2858]

Fredrix was the brand I returned! :D

[@cait3885]

This is perfect. The video every painter needs!

[@michaeljohnnolan]

Awe... thank you! Skully and Hermes thank you too.

[@VagalovStudio]

Soon i will must work for me , its a lot cheapest than to buy finished canvas , but in each case art works go for money and in both cases is good, but this cnavases your work is much stronger what art shops offers.... Nice works maestro, good content.

[@michaeljohnnolan]

Yes, true. Building canvases just helps unify us with the complete artistic painting process (besides saving of lots of money in the long run). I do romanticize that. Thanks again for all your comments. Cheers!

[@dairienbennett4014]

I love how informative and funny your videos are, every one is a work of art in itself and is a love letter to creation. So glad I found your channel, I feel like I'm learning from one of the old masters

[@michaeljohnnolan]

Thank you so much. I am humbled by your comment. I am so overjoyed you like the videos. Thank you for watching. Cheers!

[@fayee8986]

Oh yes thank you, thank you, thank you, fantastic! Very , very helpful. Preciate your know-how and sharing. Bless you.

[@michaeljohnnolan]

You are so welcome! Thank you! Appreciate your kindness.

[@graceblakeslee5968]

funny and informative thank you

[@michaeljohnnolan]

Glad you enjoyed it and I hope it helped. Thank you so much for giving it a watch and for your kind note. Cheers!

[@kenichiishirahama215]

You start off so serious and in comes Hermes 😂

[@michaeljohnnolan]

Nice! It was fun to film that opening with Hermes. He is the vehicle for my internal grump. Thanks again for watching! Cheers!

[@cameronskinner6186]

I can’t with the “zoom in on me. I can feel it now” 😂😂

[@michaeljohnnolan]

That's how you know how to zoom-in on oneself. Ahaha

[@manosotelo4730]

AWESOME MIKE!!! Love your buddies. I agree, HUGELY informative and hilarious! : )

[@michaeljohnnolan]

You rock! Thank you. I am so glad. Coming from the master, himself, that means the world.

[@dmirko]

I have to try the rabbit glue 😯

[@michaeljohnnolan]

Awesome Daniel! It is quite an interesting and engrossing procedure. But it does smell like feet. Cheers!

[@AshSchultzArt]

Just stumbled upon your channel and this is probably the best canvas making video I've come across.

[@michaeljohnnolan]

Yay, thank you! Glad you found the channel. And I am so glad you liked the video. Cheers!

[@lucianocortopassi3098]

Dude, this is amazing!!!

[@michaeljohnnolan]

Thanks a ton! I am so glad you liked it. Thanks for watching.

[@Sanpaku-san]

Nice

[@michaeljohnnolan]

Thanks for watching! Appreciate it!

[@Heurigijdbd]

Get rid of your zinc white immediately! Zinc white is not archival because it causes cracking and delaminating on oil paintings.

[@michaeljohnnolan]

Appreciate the warning and you are so right. As you probably noticed, the bag of Zinc white in the video was basically full. I bought it a long time ago to try out traditional grounds, encaustics, and silverpoint... none of which I stuck with... get it, stuck...delimitation. Sorry, bad joke. :) Anyway, I just used it as a visual prop to explain possible mixtures for gesso. When I was in art school a few companies used a very slight amount of zinc white in their acrylic mixtures. I imagine it was a hold over from the oil primer mixture days. Not sure what it would've been used for. And I think that Winsor Newton's acrylic gesso still does today contain zinc at super slight levels like 0.1%. Thanks watching. Appreciate your time.

[@seanschweska856]

That Greek guy is metal as fuck

[@michaeljohnnolan]

He most certainly is. :)

[@cameronskinner6186]

I’m dead

[@michaeljohnnolan]

Please don't die! Haha