This is a step-by-step guide for anyone looking to learn how to stretch a canvas! The steps are written out along with corresponding pictures. I'm making an 8" X 10" canvas, but these steps work for any size canvas, big or small. Materials needed: -Canvas -Stretcher Bars (assemble by fitting together each piece to form a square/rectangle) -Steel Cut Tacks -Staple Gun -Hammer -Canvas Pliers -Ruler -Pencil -Scissors Steps
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Did some compositional sketching and stretched a new canvas for this commission. I'm using Claessens double oil-primed linen, which I used previously on the portrait of my girlfriend (pictured in gallery below); I really like the Claessens and put a tone down on it with some earth colors and Gamsol. The tone will be dry by tomorrow so I can sketch in the underdrawing and then get to work!
I'm writing this purely as an ode to this beautiful product. The lead oil ground by Natural Pigments is a game changer for oil painting. I've written extensively about oil grounds and how they improve the surface quality of your painting, but this ground in particular is amazing. The great part of this product is two coats of it will give you an shiny/slightly oily surface which takes paint extremely well.
The ground comes as white but I tone my oil ground to a light gray with burnt sienna, burnt umber and ivory black. If you've never heard of oil ground, I highly recommend you investigate their application and advantages. You can find some articles on my site, but check out other sources also. I'll also say that I apply my oil ground using a knife instead of a brush; this is mainly because I find that a little bit of variety in the ground can liven up the painting. And also you won't have to clean a big brush, just wipe off your palette knife when you're done! Fun Fact: I'm applying this ground to linen panels that I made myself. I used to make them for a company that I had called EAS Custom Canvas. I shut down that business because I want to make the paintings, not the canvas. |
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