If you’ve ever thought, ‘how do you stretch a canvas?’ this is the tutorial for you! You may want to stretch your canvas to make the art surface tight and remove any unwanted slack. This not only helps to minimise underlying texture but also helps your brushstrokes flow smoothly with even colour distribution.
Start by flipping your canvas over and opening up the little zip-lock bag with the stretcher keys, also known as canvas stretching corners, inside. These wooden keys will help eliminate slack from your canvas. They can be inserted before, during, and after you begin painting, so it’s never too late to tighten your canvas!
You’ll need two keys for each corner. Insert them so they slip under the frame on the back of your canvas pointing towards the corner. Overlap them so the canvas is stretched more tightly. Once they’re in position, push them in as far as you can before hammering them gently, so they firmly wedge into place. A few taps should be enough to tighten your canvas. Check by flipping the canvas over and lightly pushing on the front to confirm the tautness – if the canvas doesn’t feel tight and springy, gently hammer the keys a little further.
We hope that now you know how to tighten a canvas, you’re ready to paint with confidence! For more painting inspo, handy hints, and suggestions, explore our Projects & How-to collection, and Tips & Tricks blogs. We have new art projects, lessons, and tutorials all the time, so stay up to date by signing up to Creative Connection below.
19 Aug 2021•Mont Marte
