how to stretch a canvas

[@DrawMixPaint]

Yes, I do, but not often. I wish I had the time because I enjoy doing that.

[@ratishsharma4388]

Heavy 100% polyester cloth, like Dimout or Blackout curtain cloth, makes good canvas surface after putting few coats or artist acrylic gesso. Drum tight all seasons, stronger, no mildew, silver fish ignore it too!

[@mnbalfour1985]

The good thing about stretching your own canvases is that you can choose your own length/width ratio. With bought canvases you have to be content with what is made available by the art supply stores. Even canvases that are custom made by art supply stores can be undesirable because they are made to whole centimetre or whole inch values. What if you don't want that? For example what if you want to dimension your canvas according to the golden ratio of 1:1.618, or the ratio of 1:((1 + (5^1/2))/2) to be exact. If your canvas is dimensioned according to the golden ratio it makes it easier to arrange your composition according to the golden ratio and in turn produce a more aesthetically pleasing artwork.

[@mikeschick8461]

Thank you for taking your time to go through this step by step. I will definitely adopt your approach in the future.

[@hardstyle3196]

Amazing! Can't wait to buy my roll of canvas! Though I still wanna learn more about stretcher bars, i feel like little is talked about them🤔

[@hazelnazel123]

Thank you for this. I've had trouble keeping tension but I think that preliminary stretch will help.

[@woodsstuffmx]

Thank you, every video i see from you is a interesting learning experience.

[@jordansabolick7837]

What kind of staple gun are you using? Is it pneumatic or electric? Thanks

[@johnbrophy597]

Ha! I thought I was the only one who stretches canvases this way. This technique works really well for large canvases too.

[@SueDeutscher]

I was having problems with the corners... thank you, Mark!

[@americanpsychonaut]

I'm slowly going through you course. Something I had to look up on my own that you should do a video on is sizing and priming your canvas. Also is there a reason you put the staples on the side of the stretcher strips? I think traditionally you staple to the back so when hanging, staples aren't visible

[@mariaholvoegouras936]

Thank you for the invaluable sea of info on your web site! And thanks to Emily for voicing the learner's perspective! Not sure if you still post replies. My two questions would be: is it important to slant the staples slightly in order to avoid the wood to crack lengthwise? and, after securing the initial corner, should one always pick the longest opposing corner (in the case of a rectangular shaped frame)?

[@barbarapackard873]

Do you trim off the excess canvas, or tack it down in the back?

[@danielmillard8134]

Keith Johnson, old masters used nails! But stretched there canvases lose. Because rabbit skin glue, tightens the fibers of canvas.

[@adnanarshad7064]

Hey there i realy love your work im from Pakistan i always enjoys your videos from dIYs painting tools to painting tips, kindly put a video of how to make a wooden frame diy ( stretcher bar) as you make your own looks pretty neat and strong

[@joshuawarren1715]

LOL! Love you man! "Check the corners with a CD case"... Anyone under 40 has no idea what you're talking about! 😂 HOWEVER, you REALLY know your stuff! Cheers! 👍

[@joec8079]

Safety tip at the end *chef kiss*

[@yvetteshaw9434]

Thank you Mark! Where can I get a canvas stretcher tool like the one you used on this video?

[@hardstyle3196]

The pliers so think you get in just about any art supply store and the staple gun at a hardware store

[@scottgabriel9829]

For what it's worth, I'll add this comment. The pliers he's using in this video are actually sheet metal seaming pliers. I have a couple of pairs. Though I've not tried them for stretching canvas. These are not the standard canvas stretching pliers one sees offered by art supply houses. Search the net for "sheet metal compound seaming pliers" and you'll see numerous examples being sold by sheet metal tool suppliers.

[@jamesmonroe3043]

@@scottgabriel9829 Hi Scott, What about the loose canvas past the staples? Just leave it? Can you staple it to the back? Thank you. (I probably shouldn't even worry about a really good canvas, or doing it myself yet)

[@rainbowfrite4739]

Do you have a video on how you make your stretcher strips/bars? I can't find one on your channel.

[@ThePeterV]

Great video Mark, many thanks. You mention that you make your stretcher bars and the lip on the bar looks as though it is all one piece? How do you make yours?

[@alvinmyers1346]

I was wondering if you use/could use this method with a pre-painted canvas? if not. could you suggest methods for stretching a pre-painted canvas? thank you :)

[@braddarnell2498]

What is the benefit of doing your own? Is it cost or quality or just pride of doing it yourself. My work is getting better thanks to guys like you so I have started to purchase better quality canvas. I started on the 6 canvas bundles from Michaels LOL . Now I am looking at the Master Canvas brand and the Blick art company brand which is nice without huge cost.

[@jmmacb03]

A teacher on KZbin said that your next painting could be your masterpiece so you want the best you can afford. Also, if you buy oil-primed linen with a lovely finished back (with Master Canvas sticker) you will be able to sell it as something people would be happy to invest in. Right now I am using up old Curry's/ Michael's canvases and they two in a pkg have wrinkles and the canvas is touching the stretcher bar-and I will only use them for colour studies. I want to use good materials and I love Mark's paints and colour checker!!

[@scotttheartist]

DO you ever make your own frames? People seem to want to buy paintings already framed but they're so expensive from the stores.

[@monicaperez2843]

Mark said in an earlier video that he regretted not learning how to make frames early in his career because they are so expensive.

[@chrisgriffith1573]

I forgot how involved stretching a canvas can be. I dropped the canvas altogether, in favor of panels. Seems a lot faster, and I like the smooth, rigid surface.

[@Mr960silva]

In my opinion, those who made frames for our paintings are also artists. Have someone that can turn a painting with dignity and valorize the work, boths parts winns with that. Good taste is important when to choose a frame. Is just a idea.

[@allyssaolaivar6138]

Sir, can you please explain why you staple the sides first? I have seen lot of tutorials on stretching a canvas, and they always start at the center. Your reply will be much appreciated! Some people can't keep their dumps private. It's his way of stretching, and if it works for him (clearly it works), then it has to be the one he should be teaching to us.

[@outsidethepyramid]

His was is not the best way

[@allenvoss7977]

What size staples??

[@TheMagistrant]

why not from the center?

[@keithjohnsonart5639]

Thanks for the video. I was curious how the old masters stretched canvas without staple guns?

[@HondoTrailside]

Tacks. Not the bulletin board type, more like furniture tacks

[@DenizCerceveGrup]

kanvas baskılar için kaliteli ekonomiş şase imalatımız vardır

[@levitabernacle3137]

He has thin wood.

[@dactylus90]

lol the rules in stretching the canvas is that you must stapled all center just like drawing a cross then if you see the center stapled all! another failure on your demo!

[@hugoflores8090]

No, U.

[@dactylus90]

it was not the old master way of stretching the canvas. dont be fooled by this guy! you must know the correct order of stapling the canvas. in academic art school rooted from the renaissances the one that attend in italy you must start knowing the axis just like drawing a cross in center of canvas. this guy have a lot of mistake making an art.

[@bigdaveuk97]

Haha.....where is your KZbin video on how to do this ? And a link to your portfolio/major works too ?

[@beanstaIkjack]

Cheers bruv