What are the benefits and/or harm of painting (with oils) on unstretched canvas? And, if I paint on this now, is it possible to stretch it later without hurting the painting?
I bought 6 yards (by 53 inches) of this canvas a month ago, not realizing it was already primed (idiotic me...), and now it's too late to return it. And I'm a bit lazy to go through the work of stretching it, since I usually count on the gesso to do most of the work. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
2007-02-15 14:56:08 · 5 answers · asked by Vae 5 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Visual Arts ➔ Painting
For the first while when I began using oils I stapled that primed canvas to my wall and painted on it. I packed a tube of 11 paintings around with me all over the place. For 3 years they traveled with me I'd pull them out once in a while to show others. They survived this habit well until I unrolled then in minus 20 weather.....CRACKED!
When I realized what was going on...I stopped. Since then I have stretched 4 of them. (the smaller ones were unharmed) The larger 35"x 48" were cracked the worst. The main issue is the uneven paint, they all are out of square. They could be fixed by putting paint in the cracks but I think these early works now have a aged beauty.
I paint on hemp canvases I stretch myself then prime with Gamblin PVA size and Gamblin Ground (they don't expand and contract with humidity and I don't roll them anymore) this priming method is sound. For oils it is more archival than gessoed canvas too because it is more rigid. Gamblin website tells you all about it.
Hope this helps.
Joyfulpaints knows what they are talking about too...consistent high quality answers!!
2007-02-15 15:43:46 · answer #1 · answered by someone 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Painting On Unstretched Canvas
2017-01-19 11:22:14 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can stretch primed canvas onto stretcher bars without any problem - I do it all the time. It just takes a bit more strength... it's easier if you have proper stretching pliers. Fredrix makes them, they are like an upholsterer's tool. If you don't want to purchase, you may be able to borrow or rent them from an art supplies store, or the store should be able to stretch it for you for a small fee.
The trouble with painting on unstretched canvas is the paint invariably cracks when it is eventually stretched onto bars. Sorry to contradict the previous poster, but cracks are actually bad.
Unstretched paintings rarely come out square...so there is always a part of the image lost (or blank canvas showing) when the painting is framed.
So either trot down to your art supplies store, or roll up your sleeves - it's worth the trouble.
2007-02-15 15:22:02 · answer #3 · answered by joyfulpaints 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
Painting on unstretched (primed) canvas?
What are the benefits and/or harm of painting (with oils) on unstretched canvas? And, if I paint on this now, is it possible to stretch it later without hurting the painting?
I bought 6 yards (by 53 inches) of this canvas a month ago, not realizing it was already primed (idiotic me...), and now...
2015-08-13 08:08:08 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can paint on it unstretched and stretch it later. You can also glue it to Masonite with carpenter's wood glue and paint on it that way. If you opt to stretch it, you won't get as tight of a stretch as you would if it were unprimed, but after stretching just spray the reverse (the back) with water and let it dry. This will help the stretch be a bit tighter.
The only real harm that will result is if you use thick (impasto) oil paint. In that case chunks may crack and come off. So paint thin, or use acrylics and all will be well.
2007-02-16 03:49:54 · answer #5 · answered by paintgordon 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm a new painter and thumb-tacking my canvas sheet in two corners to a surface - usually a box w/ an incline on my coffee table (I buy primed canvas pads for now) is working well for me. I plan to use a spray adhesive to stick it to mat-board if and when I'm ready to give it away. Good luck!
2016-03-22 19:34:57 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fine stretch paint (best answer) joy full paintings answer
You don't have to put it into into bars but it must remain flat. yes
cracks can be good with imagination I can think of several things which would work right now sorry to contradict the lower answerer. yeh it could but HARD but possible
ao chi amo manilla bella (i love you buitifull girl)
2007-02-15 15:10:48 · answer #7 · answered by charlie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋