I am stretching a very big canvas and the only fabric i could find with the right size seems more like .. well it's a bit the same material used in sterile compresses or POP etc.. i mean the wholes are visible. i will put gesso on it ofcourse but i was wondering if it will work or not.. i don't want to have bas surprises later on like cracks or whatever.. so what do u think?

edzmedz

I am not sure what u mean but i think that's what i did . Here is what it looks like:
The whole thing is about 2 meters high and 3 meters long.
I have placed a metal right angle thing at the four corners to keep everything in place.
Along the 3 meter sides I have placed 2 other bars horizontally (probably the bracing pieces u mentioned), which I also strengthened with a metal thing to the rest . This has kept the longer side in place and prevented it from being stretched inwards. But the problem is the 2 meter sides.
I thought about placing a bracing peice in the other direction too but it's not possible and i don't know how to do it. well i don't think it has ever been done anyway coz i have never seen it b4 at least.

WAIT I haven't reached the good part yet lol.. so after i removed the staples the first time only on the width sides (leaving the ones on the longer sides in place) the frame took a normal shape again and then i restapled it again but this time leaving the canvas a bit loose not sagging but not really stretched the way it should and this kept the frame OK.
I was relieved and took a few days to relax hehe coz it was really making me nervous and worried. This time also i was generous with the stapling thinking i got it this time.

Then i applied the GESSO which took like forever also bcoz of the size. I planned to do 2 coats to make it perfect. So i did the first one and left it to dry, hoping that the canvas will pull back like i was told and it will no longer sag. It did, BUT to my surprise it once more over stretched and the 2 meter sides were pulled in again!! so i unstapled the two sides again to give it more room , the boards went back into place but now i have deep vertical wrinkles on the sides because it was as if i was resizing the whole thing. I tried polishing them to reduce them. I used water I even ironed it over a damp cloth. It reduced it a bit but it still shows a bit. Today I started with the second coat hoping it will cover it up. I have left the two sides unstapled , i will leave them until i finish the 2nd coat this way the canvas will take its final shape. I will stretch it again once i finish priming. I hope it will work this time. What do u think?? I will probably sand paper it a bit if the wrinkle is still obvious. and probably once i paint over it it wont show all that much...
well now u know my Adventures with Canvas Stretching, the Return lol

jrebel7

Hey there! WOW! By the time you finish with this project, you will be a pro!!!
I think this first link may address the issue you spoke about regarding the wrinkling or indentions. It seems to be more trouble than I would go to yet feel it would work out well. The second link is just basic information on how to stretch a canvas but it was small and didn't appear to need the extra bracing in the middle to keep the frame from becoming distorted. I hope someone who does this often will see your post and be able to help you more than I have but perhaps the links will help you a bit.

The third link, if you scroll almost all the way to the bottom, you will see how they braced a large canvas to keep the frame from becoming distorted from the pulling. Let me know if these helped at all! I wish you all the best.

I had two of my Giclee prints stretched on frames and the guy did the gallery wrap. They look really nice but one thing I advise is to always allow three inches on all sides of your canvas because if you really get into stretching your own canvas all the time, you will want to invest in specific tools to pull the fabric or canvas as you work with it and you need the extra canvas on all side in order to do the gallery wrap. I like the gallery wrap because they have such a clean line finish to them and do not have to be framed.

You may want to view the third link first and scroll almost to the bottom of it to see the extra bracing!



How to Make Your Own Stretcher Bars for a Stretched Canvas Painting

How to Stretch Canvas: A Tutorial with Step-by-step Instructions

Great Applications

Best to you!

jrebel7

Hi there Edz!
I totally understand about the cross bracing being a bit much. When I want to paint, I just want to get in there and paint! I wish you much success!

edzmedz

Exactly, that's how i feel right now. I have had it with all this. After I am done with the canvas I don't think I will have enough energy left to paint lol
But it's looking good today though, I will just sandpaper it a bit and maybe add an additional coat and it will be just fine
Thanks.

jrebel7

I had a thought the other day when we were writing and again now when you mentioned sanding. Just a tidbit, take it for what it is worth. I use to be Vice-President of a Beauty Supply and as such had opportunity to do a lot of the buying for the store. In our product line for nail care, we sold some white four-sided sanding blocks. They are almost like foam, covered with an abrasive. The first brand was Alpha-9 I believe but I have purchased others since then. They are a little pliable to whatever surface shape you are working with and also, not as difficult to handle as sand paper. I use them, not only on my nails, but on every surface I work with. They are gentle enough to use on your nails and cuticles yet abrasive enough for light sanding of surfaces to give a really smooth surface. Sound like a commercial don't I? LOL Don't mean to but I think most Beauty Supply houses would carry them. Some houses only allow licensed hair dressers to purchase from them but others have an open to the public part and hold only part of their supplies in reserve for hairdressers only. You might call before going. I walked into one years ago and was informed I couldn't purchase anything and it did not make me a happy camper!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL

Well, let me PM ya here in a bit. Much luck to finish your project!

edzmedz

Thanks Jrebel for the offer u are so sweet. But I kinda have this slight problem if I tell u what it is u will make fun of me lol actually my mother and sister both use those all the time... and I have to tell u whenever it happens and they are polishing near me I always feel like puking hehe it's a kid of phobia or something.. well not phobia coz it's not like Iam scared of it , but just a sudden urge to puke hehe..so I prefer to use the regular sand papers... I hope I wont think of nails while I am polishing now that u made the connection !
PS: I live farrrrr awayyyyyyyyyyyy.....Ever heard of a tiny country called LEBANON ?? well that's where i live

jrebel7

Oh Edz!!! Sorry to make you have those feelings about sanding! Just "block" the thoughts! LOL Anyway, anytime I file my nails, my family cringes so I do totally get it! Sorry!

Yep, I have heard of Lebanon? Have you heard of Oklahoma, U.S.A.

Let me know how the stretching of canvas goes for ya! I know you will get it accomplished! You have determination!!! Proud of ya for hanging in there.