A great step-by-step canvas stretching demo I came across on YouTube.
Materials: Staple Gun, Raw Canvas, Canvas Pliers, Staples, Stretcher Bars, Hammer, Scissors, gesso, medium grade sand-paper.
Store bought canvas is great, but there is nothing like being able to stretch your own canvas especially if it is linen. Also, most pre-stretched store bought canvas is cotton and you don’t have a choice of size or texture, only what you can find on the shelf. Yes, pre-stretched cotton canvas is easy to buy and use, but knowing the basics is always essential. Master painters like Monet, Cezanne, Winslow Homer, & Rembrant stretched their own canvas. Why not stretch yours! It’s really not that hard and only takes minutes. Once you learn, you can set some time aside just to stretch and prime your canvas. You’ll feel more in control and get the texture you really want for your individual paintings. Enjoy the demo!
