How to Repair a Dented or Loose Canvas

Hi paint people! In this video, I'm going to show you how to repair a painted canvas that's been dented, and also how to tighten a new canvas that's loose or hasn't been stretched properly.
Please comment and let me know what kind of videos you'd like to see!
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Notice: No part of this video may be reproduced or distributed without written permission from me. The painting demonstrated is owned by the artist and Pandemonium Art Gallery, and may not be reproduced except by individuals for the purpose of learning these techniques. This tutorial and painting presented are not available for commercial purposes and may not be duplicated to be used for classes or commercial sale without written permission from me.
The artwork contained in this video © 2017 by Jane Font All Rights Reserved
"Slow Motion Part 3" by Peter Rudenko
Used with permission from
freemusicarchive.org/music/Peter_Rudenko/Inner_Mechanics/Slow_Motion_Part_3

[@amoraxrose]

I’m sorry but this is by far the best artist tip I have ever gotten. My canvases are restored and so is my faith. 😩 You are such a blessing!!! ‼️🎨🤍

[@exoduskamman1413]

When you’re finished with a piece and it’s dry? Run a dryer sheet over it. Wiping it down with those anti static sheets will keep it from getting dusty before it sells

[@rangleski3695]

Why are you sorry?

[@dukenukembubblegum7311]

Wow!! So simple, never in a million years would have guessed that it was that easy of a fix, thank you so much for the video

[@PaintingwithJane]

You're so welcome! I'm glad I could help :)

[@michelleconleyhancockes5489]

You saved my paintings that were dented during a move. Thank you!

[@jeanellradford9978]

Thanks I saved a special painting!!!!!!

[@TheBestOfLisaRenee]

Mine too! It’s a large one too! I was thinking about using a steamer then decided to try KZbin first.

[@chadfrey9348]

@@TheBestOfLisaRenee Me too.

[@mgunslinger17]

I just bought a beat up canvas from Goodwill that I want to work on. I Googled “how to repair a dented canvas” thinking I was going to have to re-staple things and go through a whole ordeal. I am stunned all it took was a few spritzes of water. This is such an awesome tip. Thank you!!

[@warholscircus]

You can't see me, but I'm standing and applauding! lol, the things you learn on the streets, right? Just wow.

[@Markyboy291266]

Honestly this is the best thing ever! I recently damaged an expensive original painting in a house move, dented it and was absolutely raging with myself, legit so depressed about it but saw this and cannot actually believe it worked! I’m so happy, thank you so much for posting this ❤️

[@RosyG424]

Thanks to you my beautiful oil painting has been restored. It got a horrible dent during our move but I followed your advice and it’s as good as before. Thank you 🎉

[@EddyGraphic]

That’s it? I never thought it would be sooooo easy to fix this issue, my beautiful painting is saved! 😂👌🏻

[@ccassidy2006]

I can’t thank you enough. My daughter painted 3 large canvas paintings (a set). I put them in my car and they were leaning against things. They stretched out and looked ruined. I was devastated. I used a spray bottle of water, had to keep repeating because the stretched areas were fairly large. Thank you a million times, all the paintings are restored!!! ❤🎉

[@PaintingwithJane]

I'm so glad I could help!! I know how devastating it is to think you've ruined a painting! 💛

[@CoffeeBeforePants]

I'm glad I watched this. I was ready to pull all the staples out and restretch it that way. Being that what I have are "bargain" canvasses, this video will be a big help

[@dedameda199]

🤪👍

[@Daniingram8831]

Oh my god, this was so helpful. I’m a beginner painter in art school and I just dented some of my homework canvases. I thought that I was gonna have to start over. Thank you so much! 💜

[@HelenHollingsworth-hg5vv]

You’re a lifesaver! One our favorite paintings was dented during a renovation. Thank you!

[@maryparris7254]

wow, thank you. one of the best and quickest videos explaining repair etc.

[@daviddooling5997]

Thanks so much for your help, Jane. This repair method will sure come in handy! Awesome!

[@musicaorganum]

MANY thanks!! A friend of mine gave me a painting that means a lot me. Unfortunately, this painting incurred three dents during a move. I was very upset and hurt when I noticed it. I thought that the painting was pretty much ruined. However, thanks to this video, the painting looks as good as new. Again, MANY, MANY, MANY thanks! I GREATLY appreciate it. All the best!😁

[@roxgro]

Thanks Jane for your great contributions to the art world. Just started viewing you and really appreciate you!

[@PaintingwithJane]

+roxgro Aw, thank you so much

[@jackiegrant410]

Great information Jane, I have thrown some painted baggy canvases out in the past, won’t now. Thanks again, you’re a true star! 💖

[@deborahbulla5671]

You are a terrific teacher! Thank you so much for posting this.

[@ravennicholson4387]

Wow!😍 So easy, and my painting is fixed right before my eyes! So grateful!🙏🏼💫

[@sowkguy]

You made my week!!! Thank you so much for sharing your expertise! I was so bummed over a painting I received with a dent and now it's all fixed!

[@amysamin]

Very helpful, thank you! Found your channel last night and watched a few videos. Nice to hear your voice - it's lovely.

[@PaintingwithJane]

+Amy Samin Thank you, Amy! I'm glad you're enjoying the videos :)

[@andrewp.1816]

In less than 30 seconds it worked! You rock star! I can imagine soaking it in water, rubbing it in and then placing it in a hot location or hair dryer for quick drying.

[@karenleigh2786]

I'm so glad I found you Jane, it is so fascinating watching you paint and learning everything you impart. I am mostly a watercolor painter but I've been investing in acrylic paints and want to start in that medium. Your knowledge is tremendous and you make me feel that I can paint anything...thanks for your tutelage

[@Pamela_Lang]

omg - my vacuum cleaner tipped over and slid down the front of a painting putting a "dent" into it. I can't believe there's a fix for this - AND IT WORKED....in about 60 seconds just by rubbing water into the back of the canvas! I can't tell you how much I appreciate you posting this video - tytyty!!

[@cecepalmer4833]

Thank you so much for this tutorial on how to fix canvases. I had one of my favorite paintings that i thought was ruined and a canvas that i had made special to size. I followed your instructions on my empty canvas was totally amazed as i watched the dent disappear. I cannot wait to share this simple fix with my friends who also dabble with paints. Thanks again and blessings.

[@shirleya4510]

What a transformation! Thank you SO much, Jane. I stored a huge painting and was crushed when I saw the canvas wasn't flat. I appreciate you 💜

[@Ari-tk3jd]

OMG THE MOST HELPFUL VIDEO EVER! I took home a painting for school and my cat tipped it over and I didn’t notice it so it had a dent. You literally saved my grade because my art teacher would have freaked! Thank you!!!!

[@karensmothers2030]

I am really grateful for your videos. I live in a very rural area of North Georgia and no true art lessons within 1.5 to 2 hour commute of my home and even then it is basically drawn on a canvas and fill in with craft paint. While they were fun to be a part of, I wanted to learn techniques and not just "paint by filling in the blanks". I have viewed many tutorials and yours are simply the best and it fits my work routine. You are an amazing artist and teacher! Thank you!!

[@raesupproductions]

Thank you so much for this tip! It really did work, I was so impressed!! It turned my frown upside down because I was so disappointed my art piece had been dented, but now I can't even tell the dent was ever there! Yay! Thank you!

[@Stu_DLNGR]

I left canvases for a decade and was strictly paper, wood-panel and cement/brick-wall (graffiti) based. As I get older I am wanting to get back to canvases. Just got some low budget, large artist's loft canvases. This is a lifesaver of a lesson. Thank you. Odd how I forgot this trick despite decades of canvas work. I actually had to Google this. Ugh. Getting old is surprising on so many levels. Thank you, ma'am. Subscribed.

[@williamjones3140]

This is amazing! Thank you for such an easy and effective way to remove bumps from paintings that were not stored properly. Worked like a charm and the bump was completely gone after it dried.

[@paulsharkey4457]

Amazing. Best tip ever worked so quick . Instantly subbed !

[@bethgranger1913]

This is exactly what I needed to learn this week! I had searched for this information for days without success. Just happened upon your video after I had given up. Thank you!

[@tammysuebeamer3354]

Such a simple helpful cure for an annoying problem! Can't understand how anyone would find it otherwise. Thank you so much for the info!

[@ajaurehan5501]

Omg thank you so much for this tip. This is by far THE EASIEST AND QUICKEST TIP EVERRRR!

[@katherinepowerscuomo2708]

Amazing! This worked like a charm on a vintage painting I purchased from an antique store. Thank you!

[@holly6548]

Excellent information! Thank you Jane. Keep them coming!!!!

[@ETANancyO]

Excellent! My surprise how easy this is, mimics the comments below. What a gem you are!! I haven't needed this tool, but I often see the edge of the wood and I didn't know it could even be corrected. I have learned to paint over the last couple of years with tutorials like these. I saved my development for after I retired. Thank you Thank you!!

[@tepzepifrank]

I love your tips. I've just bought my first canvasses and your tips make my problem now easily resovable. Nicely explained. Thanks.

[@rios3441]

YOU ARE AN ANGEL, this was so quick and easy!!

[@lorrainegaudet4143]

Best tip ever! I tried it and it worked wonderfully. Thank you so much!

[@ramirez3811]

This helped so much! I was working on a client’s portrait of her dog and I didn’t realize that I was putting too much pressure on the canvas while crawling it and it was almost as stretched out like your blank one, it helped thank you!

[@annalensch8381]

Thank you so much for this tutorial! I just fixed all of my canvases that have been leaning in storage and I thought they were completely ruined... But now they're all saved! You saved me so much time and money and stress, thank you!!!

[@toocool7202]

Thank you, Jane, for sharing how to tighten a canvas. I gave you a Like for your vid before I even tried out your repair tip. Admittedly, I had my doubts that it would work. Um... WOW! It IS just that simple... rub water and wait! I used this process on a large 4' x 3' mid century canvas painting that had puckers throughout - it now looks freshly stretched!

[@billdenton5774]

Wow, thank you so much ! A beautiful print in my living room which I believed was going to have to be discarded is pristine thanks to your excellent help !! Very much appreciated !!

[@krisdriggers3894]

Wow, thank you so much!!! I just found a huge dent in one of my favorite paintings, and this technique fixed it. 💗

[@angelarutherford1539]

First video that came up after my search and the only video I needed. My canvas is currently drying and im in shock. This was like magic!! Thank you thank you

[@eenix0]

I can't wait to try this - one of my favorite paintings, done by a good friend of mine, got dented just like this one in the video when I moved. I was SO upset and heartbroken, especially since it's my own fault for packing it incorrectly. Thank you for giving me hope!!!

[@RimefeatherMage]

My huband moved one of my paintings on top of another canvas so that a corner was poking into the middle of the canvas from behind, making a noticeable dent. I was super sad to see it and was distraught thinking it was ruined. Then I found your video and, a few seconds later, the dent is magically gone! Thank you so much! Definitely will keep this advice in mind going forward!

[@yumyummoany]

Thank you, I needed a specific size canvas for my art class, found one in the cupboard - all floppy. Watched, wetted it and already it is tighter before it has dried! Saved me money!

[@thevalkyri]

I just want to thank you profusely for this - I started out many years ago "learning" to paint from youtube artists, the first one I found wasn't very helpful, I think they designed their videos to make people keep coming back to be hand-held, so I moved on to you, and learned so much. Eventually I went off in my own direction and I owe that in part to your instruction. So when I accepted a commission today and grabbed the canvas off the shelf and found it dented, I was a little distressed, I simply don't have time to order another, it's a birthday present for someone and I'm on a big time constraint. So, I Googled, and there you were again, there for me. :) The canvas looks great now, and I do think this is the most useful tip I've ever gotten. Thanks again Jane, you are truly an amazing and awesome human.

[@kimerie99]

Perfect directions and demonstration - it worked for us on a large canvas. Thank you!

[@cptnrobjohnston9736]

Amazing! One of my grandmother's paintings on canvas was transported across the US to me, arrived with a couple of dings. So sad. But your technique worked great - like magic - and turned my frown upside down. Much thanks!

[@janehardiman4763]

Thank you for this problem solving idea of repairing loose canvas! You saved me money by not throwing them in the trash! Hooray!

[@AnimaSola3o4]

Omg. I have thrown paintings away. 🤦‍♀️ I'm so glad I finally learned this trick. Working on a Christmas gift tonight and didn't want to go find a new canvas. You saved my evening and maybe my Christmas lol. Thank you!

[@marcellehalgryn1939]

This was so helpful! So glad you showed with and without paint! Thank you :)

[@PaintingwithJane]

You're welcome, Marcella! I'm glad I could help :D

[@monkeymatt5518]

I just bought a giant painting and I was really happy to get it home and when I took it home in the back of my truck it got a dent and I was so bummed. I used your technique but with a damp towel and it worked. I am so happy and it is all thanks to you and this video!!!

[@andreassfikouris666]

Im amazed at how well this works.

[@loopyloo1094]

Wow, don't usually comment on videos but this was super simple and actually worked to remove a dent on a new canvas I have had lying around for ages as thought was a lost cause!

[@sarahpeck1819]

That tip is going to save so many paintings of mind I thought were lost.. THANK YOU!!

[@michaelparry1383]

Jane, this is a great tip. I will say, I have not viewed this this technique. This looks so easy and doesn't cost any money for materials. Great tips. Thanks for sharing.

[@PaintingwithJane]

You're welcome :D

[@sarahmartinezart]

Thank you! Literally just saved me $1300 - fixed a painting on canvas that got dented in less than a minute. Really appreciate it.

[@user-fg6th9lq1b]

THANK YOU! I bought the cheapest paint by numbers, attached it as tight as possible to a frame and it had all sorts of bends and bumps (especially in the corners). I lost all hope, but your video literally just stretched it out into a brand new painting. Thank you so so much Jane.

[@fibarr8240]

OMG!!! I have just tried this on a painting I had completed where I thought it was ruined by the corner folding in and it has instantly taken the fold out!!! This the best artist tip ever, I'm so glad I came across this video. Thank you!!

[@estanneque]

Wonderful tips! I'll try them right away. Thank you! 🙏

[@elisemcclintick9719]

The water treatment absolutely works great. Thank you, thank you! Movers leaned boxes against an oil painting of my favorite dog portrait, my Great Dane "Aslan". The dent (bulge) was from the back of the canvas and completely pushed out his nose. I was in tears. Per your suggestion, I opened the backside paper backing, sprayed a little plain water right on the "dent" and wiped the water into the fibers. An hour later, I went back to check the canvas and it was completely back to normal. Can't thank you enough. All the best, Elise

[@Velliott54]

Thank you for sharing. Your video helped me with my canvases.

[@BIKESTROM]

I had the same problem as Jonathan Mayer - I have a 30x30 I tried this on and at first it was tight but then as soon as it dried completely it was loose again. I asked my painting teacher how to fix a loose canvas and what he does is he adds cheap elmer's glue with the (warm) water. So the water does a great job at shrinking the cotton and as it dries the glue dries and it acts as a support/stiffener. 50% warm water, 50% elmer's glue - paint on with a soft brush, working it in. Et voila! A canvas that will shrink and stay shrunk regardless of the size.

[@PaintingwithJane]

Ooooh!!! Awesome idea, Sarah!! Thank you so much. I'll try that!!

[@udayanipathapati422]

Hey Sarah... do you add the glue mixture to the back of the canvas as well? Please help. Thanks in advance!

[@daviddooling5997]

Great tip !

[@rituparnaroy5574]

A complete life saver! Thank you so much for the video

[@CJ-jy9nx]

Just fixed both of these things and OMG, worked awesome!!!! Thank you!

[@sisterslothington]

GOD BLESS YOU. 😭❤️ I was absolutely crushed as I had in an instance of forgetfulness sat/leaned up against a very important painting. It wasn't too large, and I was tire. I've worked months on a painting of my grandpa who passed earlier this year, as something for my family to cherish. I almost burst into tears when I had realized the damage I had done, as the canvas was sagging and loose in the middle. This SAVED ME. Literally INSTANTLY as I let some water drip on the back, it bounced back!! 😭❤️ Thank God I found your video, and thank you for saving me and my family a world of sadness. 🙏🏼

[@katrinawoodsartist3437]

Oh my god!!! You are a goddess! Lifesaver! Thank you so much for your help!! I had domino effect of an accident. 8 canvas fell over, which knocked over my easel, tripod and the commission I was working on which fell on the arm of my chair causing a dent. I can’t believe it was so easy to fix thank you!!

[@saltlifegull4091]

Thank God Jane! Whew, I was about throw out a few of them! Ya saved me some money and Thanks from your subscriber in Florida.

[@julienielsen3746]

Just found out I had a dent in my canvas, and found your video. I also looked to see what you have on your other videos. I subscribed. Thanks !

[@ellec7827]

Glad I came across this Jane. I was going to have my husband remove the staples on my zen painting and re-staple it. While painting along your zen tutorial I noticed a bit of looseness in my canvas. Really appreciate your tips.

[@PaintingwithJane]

Yay!! I'm glad I could help save your painting

[@NightshadeTreasures]

I was skeptical about doing what you did in the video, but it WORKED!! Thanks Jane! I love all your tips and tutorials :))

[@PaintingwithJane]

Nice :D I'm glad I could help you!

[@njiati]

Thank you so much for this very helpful video! I just received a piece of canvas art that cost me a pretty penny. When I got it out of the package, it was creased along the wood mount and it was very loose/puckering in the upper right quadrant. I thought I was going to have to send it back, but then I found this video and followed your instructions and it looks perfect now! Thank you, thank you, thank you! ❤

[@ambientsounds5029]

Crazy timing of this video! I have 6 brand new canvases lined up at the door ready for the trash bc they’re all dented from storing them in my closet. This is amazing! Thank you

[@3zeldajust3]

THANK YOUUUU. Just had an art show I had to travel for and a 30x48 piece got severely dented. I was stressing out....but tried this and saved me so much more time and stress trying to get it restretched. Thank you.

[@danflowers7]

Thief’s a great lesson. The last time I moved several of my paintings ended up getting dents in them. I can’t wait to try this technique on them. Thanks. 😎

[@johnje4285]

You are wonderful, I have just moved home and a few paintings were packed by the removal company without bubble wrap. That lead to two paintings with dents. Your trick with the water atomizer worked perfectly . Thank you

[@chadfrey9348]

Thank you so much!! I was working on a painting when a dent occured. I looked up how do I get a dent out of a canvas and never in a million would I have thought it would be this easy to remove a dent. Many thanks to you!

[@creativityinthemaking2680]

Jane, many thanks for this video. I was wondering what I could do to tighten up two 30x40" canvases so that they are taut don't sag (I was dreading having to restretch these large canvases). I love our community of artists -- we have an exemplary mindset of caring and sharing, and your video "assist" is a clear example of what everyone should be doing to help others and make this a better world for everyone.

[@artbymb]

You have opened my eyes here! There are so many canvases I had that i thought were unsalvageable so I took them off and restretched them. I wasted so much time! I never thought to use water on the back! Thank you!

[@PaintingwithJane]

+artbymb I'm glad I could help :D Sometimes it may still be necessary to restretch, but try water first :)

[@mahrukhs23]

OMG - amazing and so simple.. Got really big dents on my new canvas and I lost hope but suddenly found your video. It is now completely stretched. Thank you very much

[@Mizzhapp]

Wow! You just saved me so much time and effort, thanks so much :D

[@ronmarkussen2183]

I am a completly new painer and you have taught me so mush already thank you so much .

[@madiiel]

Very helpful!!! It worked wonders! Thank you!!

[@crisalidathomassie1811]

I was thinking about how I would be able to fix a canvas that it was ready to paint and found your channel. Thanks so much for the video and tips. Excellent content. I have subscribed to your channel and I wish you the best. Blessings and take care.

[@sheagallagher95ify]

This video has answered my prayers. Thank you ❣️

[@spoon9488]

major props! worked like a charm. Thanks amigo!

[@emilykate4669]

IT WORKS! - I wanted to do a painting and found an old canvas. It was dented and sagged in. After watching this I just poured the water over the back, rubbed the areas and IT WORKED! You are a GENIUS! Thank you for saving my $20 canvas!!

[@gailgolf]

I thought maybe water would work, but didn't want to try it until watching your video. Thanks so much for giving me the confidence to spray water on the dent in the rear of this oil 24 x 36 that I really adore. You helped me so much. I had to do it 2 times as the dent was severe. It worked great after waiting til it dried.

[@rickhilton9108]

Thank you for this simple fix ,My beautiful Jean St Fleur painting got a dent right in the middle and I so bummed but with a little water it is now completely gone. Thank you so much

[@tammypalmer4864]

Thank you so much! I was so happy that it worked! I had started a painting and was so upset that another canvas leaned against it and dented it!

[@dorothyradley9391]

Thanks very much Jane. They are the only kind of canvases we can get in the UK. They all come with them. xxx

[@arturomora3578]

This was amazingly helpful thank you for this video

[@ayeshashaikh1543]

I wish I could give this two thumbs up. It's such a fantastic piece of information

[@harleyssecrets]

Oh my gosh this is MAGIC. Thank you so much. My night was almost ruined but you saved it with this trick.

[@bas3398]

Thanks. I just got a massive 48" x 48" canvas dirt cheap because it had a small dent. This fixed it!