How to Stretch a Canvas (Cotton or Linen)

Learn how to stretch a canvas (cotton or linen) in this video tutorial. Stretching a canvas takes a bit of practice but with the right techniques and supplies, you'll be a pro in no time.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment below.
Thank you to Nicole Sleeth Atelier member Katerina for the suggestion!
Tools: (not sponsored)
Canvas Stretching Pliers:
store.opusartsupplies.com/sag...
Surebonder All In One Staple Gun:
www.amazon.ca/Surebonder-5650...
Staples:
www.amazon.ca/Surebonder-5501...
Spray bottle:
www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00D...
Timestamps:
00:00 intro
00:09 materials
00:54 positioning the stretcher frame
01:46 how to start
03:20 continuing to stretch
06:13 removing a pucker
06:29 folding the corners
09:28 spraying with water to remove wrinkles and tighten canvas
10:35 all finished
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#art #canvas #arttutorial #artist #stretchingcanvas

[@tomc7376]

electric staplers are like the best thing ever

[@nicolesleeth]

I have never tried one but they sound great!

[@ciaralee4095]

My canvas was tight when i tightened it and then overnigt it became loose and wobbly around the sides. I sorated water, it becamr tight again but once it was dry it was loose all over again, any tips for longevity in the tightness of the canvas. Don't want to have to water it like a plant every day

[@beegriffith2612]

Very helpful thank you! so you apply size to the linen before stretching? how? and why do you not size it once its stretched? Thanks so much!

[@nicolesleeth]

Hi there - yes I apply the size before stretching. It's not entirely necessary, but size will make the linen shrink, and I want it to do its shrinking before I stretch it. It only needs to be sized once, so if I do it before stretching, it doesn't need to be done after stretching.
To apply the size without stretching, I lay the linen on a sheet of clean plastic, and apply the size with a large brush, allowing it to thoroughly permeate the linen. Once it's dry, I peel it off the plastic and stretch it over the stretcher frames.
Hope that helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.

[@fblack8376]

Thank you for this tutorial! May I ask what ounce of linen you use? Also where it’s purchased from? Thanks!!!

[@nicolesleeth]

You're very welcome! I typically use 8oz linen from Opus Art Supplies.

[@sumaibrahimi809]

what canvas material, what thickness are you using? Is it linen? Is it cotton? Can it be white? Or does it have to be this yellowish colour? Thanks, great video btw.

[@nicolesleeth]

In the video, I am using 8oz unprimed Belgian linen. You can use linen or cotton, and it can be beige (like the unprimed linen) or white (like primed cotton).

[@user-xs7re8eo5g]

Would you be willing to share what weight/style of linen you’re using here? Thank you!

[@nicolesleeth]

Of course - it is 8oz unprimed Belgian linen. It had a coat of Gamblin PVA size on it.

[@jasleen_dhaliwal]

can i use normal linen cloth for making my own streached canvases??...is it gonna be good enough??...will i have to use gesso before painting on that canvas??...

[@nicolesleeth]

Hi there, I would not recommend using regular linen cloth, but rather use linen intended for artists. Belgian linen is some of the best. Yes, you will need to apply gesso, though I would recommend applying a PVA size prior to applying the gesso.

[@jasleen_dhaliwal]

@@nicolesleeth thankyou for replying:)