Canvas Painting - The Stretched Canvas

Canvas Painting - The Stretched Canvas
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Murtaza_Habib]Murtaza Habib

 

Over the years, artists painted on walls, ceramics, pots, etc. Canvas paintings survive their creators for years and centuries.

 

Some are on display in the world's most prestigious museums and art galleries. A canvas is a heavy and coarse fabric, which can be used for a lot of things like most commonly oil painting, but it can also be used for sails on boats and tents.

 

Its most common form that artists work on is the stretched canvas. It is stretched over a stretcher bar.

 

It is a wooden frame to which it is stapled on. Many shops sell it, it is ready to go, easy to use and the most comfortable to work on.

 

Yet, stretched canvases can be expensive; partly, because of the materials used and the labor done in the stretching. Apparently, smaller ones are cheaper than larger ones.

 

Take note that working on different sizes will pose unique challenges. For making paintings in it, it does not mean that you will finish the painting quicker. In fact, you need a sharper eye and a steady hand. Larger paintings will also take time, but it allows you to fill up a room with a striking painting.

 

If you want to stretch your own canvas, get a rolled one or a one that is not yet stretched. Some artists order rolled one because it is less expensive than stretched ones. Besides, they can stretch them easily.

 

Aside from that, rolled ones allows artists to decide on the size that's most appropriate for their paintings instead of the generic sizes sold in stores.

 

To stretch your own, you will need a stretcher bar. Some of these are sold in shops. However, you can always make one yourself. Stretchers can be bought by pairs, or you can also make them, yourself.

 

Make sure that the distances between the frames are equal. Cut them large enough to fold around the stretchers edge. Staple them on the stretcher bar from one side.

 

Pull them and staple on the opposite direction. On the corners, pull it tightly and fold the wings and staple. Once it is stretched, prime it with acrylic gesso.

 

If that sounds a bit complicated, you always have an option to go to art shops and ask them to stretch it that will fit your specifications or buy ready-made stretched one.

 

These ready made stretched canvases might not be stretched as tight as you want them to be.

 

Nevertheless, if you do it, yourself or buy one, it is imperative to have a stretched one to work on. A properly stretched one will be easy to work on.

 

Once the painting is completed, un-stretch it, roll up the painting, and you will be ready to go and save space in your studio.

 

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