How To Make and Stretch a Canvas: Episode 5: Making and Stretching a Canvas Frame

[dailydrifter]

Jane have you tried applying the gesso with a roller? If so, what nap?

[joojiandmemo]

get a cae mixer for the gesso

[resihilda]

Great and very helpful video instruction. Did you do all 3 coats of gesso on the same day; how much time between coats? Also, it would be awesome if you did a video about your studio set-up and essentials. Thanks for all your hard work!

[JaneKenoyer]

@resihilda Sorry for the late reply I have been traveling in Europe all month, yes I gesso all in one day, just let the coats dry in between and you may want to sand a bit in between coats, that gives the canvas a smoother texture. Thanks!

[dutch3367]

Fabuloso Jane. I have watched 3 framing videos from hard core wood workers; Really put me off. Your videos hit the spot; Well done.

Many thanks,

Mark

(Australia)

[tinii70]

what is the name for the primer?? do u have any recommended brand??...love ur video...they are very helpful to me

[painter4love]

u are lucky bcoz u get all equipment..same carpenter.. ..i also make my canvas .and thank u for u share videos

[JaneKenoyer]

It really depends on the size but you can usually save between $20-$70 building one yourself.

[mah5259]

Hey Jane - is there any way you can breakdown a simple price comparison from creating your own canvas compared to buying it already made in stores? Thanks!

[aglanceatmyworld]

I was wondering if you gesso just the front or the sides as well?

BTW I love your studio!

[JaneKenoyer]

@aglanceatmyworld you can if you want but don't have to. If you plan to paint around the edges then you should gesso it.

[herebesideyou]

Thanks so much for these videos, they are very helpful. And for the record, I think you are beautiful.

[Jtluther]

Thanks for a great series. Hard to believe, I got my BFA without ever stretching a canvas. Just painted on masonite the whole time. But I think I could give it a go now, after watching you do it.

[ikanthas]

Thank you for the wonderful series on how to stretch a canvas really enjoyed watching it and learned frm it.

[skydivergm]

That was one educative mini-series with lots of great tips.

Wow, how I envy your studio :)

Thank you very much!

[JaneKenoyer]

That is really the same thing that happend to me here, forgot to round the edges before I started. Ya is is a bit is specifically made for making a quarter round, ask your local hardware store, the bit was about $11 if I remember right. You don't have to get a whole kit of bits, I got mine at Ace Hardware. Just get the size that works with the wood you have.

[gedimindtrix]

Great video, you pretty much covered everything, I found that you can buy raw canvas at local fabric stores pretty cheap 10 to 12 oz weight is a good standard. What kind of router bit did you use to round out the inner edge of the frame? I'm making wood panels and stretching canvas for the first time and I made some frames but forgot to round out the inner edge so I was relieved to see in your vid that I can still use a router to carve it out.

[positiveKani]

thank you

[thesash86]

over how long a time did it take to apply each coat of gesso?

[thesash86]

over how long a time did it take to apply each coat of gesso?

[JaneKenoyer]

Yes, it is the inside edge of the part that would touch the canvas not the wall.

[Boycie666]

Great videos thanks. Can you confirm that you routed the side that will eventually touch the canvas and not the wall. I'm not sure if that step is to help you stretch it on the back or to stop the frame showing on the front...?

I am only looking to mount some large canvas photos and have never seen a finished frame up close. Thanks

[Boycie666]

Great videos thanks. Can you confirm that you routed the side that will eventually touch the canvas and not the wall. I'm not sure if that step is to help you stretch it on the back or to stop the frame showing on the front...?

I am only looking to mount some large canvas photos and have never seen a finished frame up close. Thanks

[ebnyflyer]

great Vid. My wife had me watch your vid so I can make our own frames. Question do you also Gusso the sides of the frame?

[JaneKenoyer]

@ebnyflyer yes I did gesso the canvas wrapped around the sides. You don't have to though.

[Jimmyk192]

Ok so today i made my first canvas ever just by watching my brother make one. Lucky me I have are and woodshop :D

My canvas came out very well for being my first one ever biut my teacher said i need liquid chalk? He said to use liquid chalk insted of paint why is so? Does it make any diffrence?

[JaneKenoyer]

@Jimmyk192 there are always different methods, try a bunch and see what you like best.

[Bad13luck13]

you rock! given me an excuse to use a new medium. Very thorough, top notch. Pretty too! Thanx

[Samuraijau]

hey there.. can i ask u where u got your wood planks from ?? thnks for ya time... an i by da waqy i luvvv ur vids about the canvas stretchin!!

[JaneKenoyer]

@Samuraijau home depot, :-)

[michaellohrweb]

Wow. you are incredibly beautiful!

[ShemiOfek]

good work miss ! :)

i orderd a few canvas photos yesterday..

hope they come out great ..

[lalalaina4life]

Hi, Jane. Thanks for the videos, they are you very helpful. Would you be willing to talk about your mounting blocks. I mean the thing that's holding your canvas in place on your wall. How does it actually work?

[baxannie1]

Hi Jane, thanks for your advice. Just a quick Question, I am making my own frames and then attaching screen-printed hemp material with staple gun (just small ones of about 30-50cm). Do you recommend using any type of clear primer on the hemp material or starch spray to protect it and make it tighter and more durable? Thanks for your help. Andrea from Oz

[blancasbs]

Thanks Jane!!! Great Video!! I just finished getting all of the tools, I plan to make my first attempt in the morning!! Wish me luck!!

[spiralisedcat]

Thanks jane i found this very useful,consider me subbed :D

[DatSkinnyWhiteGirl]

did you gesso the back of the canvas as well or did you leave it as it was?

[recalljessica]

I'm wondering how long it took between coats?

[MichiganTreasure]

Nice job Jane, thanks.

When I started the instructor told us to use primed linen. It was awful. The primed linen is extremely difficult to stretch, once mounted it takes on moisture with weather changes and gets loose...I hate it.

Like you said, unprimed cotton canvas is the way to go. When I use linen today I back it with Masonite (glue it to the Masonite).

Question: Do you use the old type gesso or acrylic? Do you paint with oil paints?

[JaneKenoyer]

@MichiganTreasure Thanks for the comment! In these tutorials I used store bought gesso that is water base. In that body of work I was working with acrylic. I now paint primarily in oils on hard panel. And am using gesso specifically made for oils, just like the old type of gesso you mentioned.

[mwithers1000]

Jane i love you...:)

[JaneKenoyer]

@mwithers1000 :-)

[carlyjeanisinaparade]

Thank you! :D

[Fjorko]

Hi Jane, do you gesso the back bit of the canvas as well ( the small part of the canvas that is folded over the back of the strecher bars ) ? From the video I only see the front and sides done.

Very well explained. Love it !

[JaneKenoyer]

@Fjorko just the front, thanks for the comment! 

[hematitecrow]

Hi i'd like to know what's the diff of using white acrylic or gesso for priming. Does priming the canvas make it smoother to be painted on? If it's unprimed, how many coats of gesso do you paint on it? 3? Thanks!

[MEGHA2204]

hi thanks a lot.. tats so instructive.

question: wat fabric u are using?? do they have to be pure linen or are there any selection of fabric which can be used??

[doctorjaid]

Thanks a lof from spain!

[otanda]

Thank you so much for sharing your videos, now I feel confident on how and what to do, you are great thanks a lot! =)

[LottaTroublemaker]

Is it possible to gesso a canvas, paint on it, then stretch it? Seems framers sometimes do it afterwards, some paintings come rolled up etc. I just gessoed one, thinking of trying it, since I haven't got wood and all tools for making the canvases myself yet. Thanks for a super tutorial, really useful! BTW, is your ruter(router?) an expensive one, or does a cheap one work? I won't be making that many, I think, and I can't afford an expensive one.

[behrangdoosti]

do you sand the gesso after each coat r not?

[JaneKenoyer]

@behrangdoosti sure do!

[aisoa1]

Thanks for taking the time to do this Miss Kenoyer

[virusvial]

wow this is wonderful i want to make a canvas now instead of buying it , your wonderful i have 2 questions are your a teacher or professional artist? because you sound and teach wonderfully and my second question is can i use a roller to prem the canvas and where do i buy the prem at a fine arts store? and TYSM for a great video .

[JaneKenoyer]

@virusvial I am a professional painter (artist) check out my work at thejane.com! I guess you could use a roller, it may be textured.. but my advice it try everything and then develop what is good for you. Yes you get gesso at an art store. Your welcome!

[betomatito]

nevermind!! I just found your make and stretch a huge canvas!! like you even more!! thanks!

[JaneKenoyer]

Be sure to check out my other video that shows a more advanced way to do large scale canvas stretchers.

[betomatito]

nevermind!! I just found your make and stretch a huge canvas!! like you even more!! thanks!

[betomatito]

Hi Jane!! your vids are sweet!! thanks!! just wondering if that structure would be enough for a large scale canvas? say.... 8X6 or 7ft??.. I know it sounds intense, but I'd really love to try it!!

[JaneKenoyer]

@betomatito this is not going to work for that large of a size. But do check out my other video that shows a more advanced way to do large scale canvas stretchers.

[betomatito]

@JaneKenoyer yeah just found it haha thnx

[samridawaser]

i knew about that now, but what you may not know is how sweet you are, that was cool. i enjoyed it, thanks :)

[OutofAmway]

Awesome videos, told me everything i needed to know :)

[JaneKenoyer]

@OutofAmway so glad to hear it!

[jinxccat1972]

Jane, thanks so much for these videos! I've been wanting to know how to do this because my aunt is an acrylic painter and I'm an airbrush artist, so we go through alot of canvases. thanks again!

[maggie22marti]

oh and i also heard that you can use killz not the oil base. is that true? my brother in law is an artist and he always uses Original Killz on aas a primer. and he sands it down when he completes it. but do u suggest using gesso or it don't matter?

[JaneKenoyer]

@maggie22marti I never go that route, I think you can get away with cheeper materials like Killz if you are not concerned with the lasting quality of the art. It also depends on how thick and textured you are working. If you are painting thin glazes it is more forgiving and you can cut corners rather than if you are painting thick. What I am talking about is the bond between the gesso and the paint. I assume you are working with acrylic?

[maggie22marti]

@JaneKenoyer yes i work with scrylic cause its cheaper lol. i buy oil paint piece by piece untill i get all the colors i need cause they are pretty expensive. but thanks for your comment. it really did help. I think i rather use Gesso :) thanks

[yagernotes]

I just read through all the rest of your comments and found your instructions for your wall mount. Thanks!  Keep sharing your talent! You're a good teacher!

[JaneKenoyer]

@yagernotes :-)

[yagernotes]

Thanks for an extremely helpful video! It gave me the confidence to do this myself. I have a favor to ask.  Can you explain how you're hanging your canvas on the wall as you are doing when gessoing your canvas? I have limited space and want to work with larger canvases and would really like to make something on the wall like you have. Can you explain how you get your canvas to hang like that? Thanks in advance!

[tkotx92]

Do you need the stuff to put on it before you paint or can you paint with out it?

[Saint7781]

You can buy it primed but this is better.

[c0kar7]

youre kinda cute

[theemurf]

Thanks for the help, great advice.

[gingergirl4098]

i also had a question... do you use clear or white gesso and what's the difference (sorry if i missed that in here)

[JaneKenoyer]

Thanks! I use white it is the most common.

[gingergirl4098]

your studio is so clean and neat!! i love it! this video is so helpful. thank you!

[vjfronk]

i used the gesso today, not the (jesso) hehe. i used a boddy plastic smoother and when its dry i will sand and paint on 1 or 2 coats of cheep acrylic craft paint from walmart as a base then paint more frogs.you do nice work jane.your not hard to look at either ;-)

[JaneKenoyer]

I generally do. It is not required for good work though. Many artists don't.

[JaneKenoyer]

if you are going to do a "self wrapping" canvas and paint on the side, i would gesso it first. If you are going to frame it then I wouldn't bother with gessoing the sides.. it may even make framing harder if you do.

Hope that helps! ;-)

[vjfronk]

can you use killz insted of jesso?

[JaneKenoyer]

I would not recommend doing that. There is a certain bond that happens with gesso and acrylic. Or rabbit glue and oils. This is important so that the painting will not peal or crack over time.

[vjfronk]

thanks jane,,i know that killz doesnt seem to last on a block wall either.i thought may be it would if it were sealed.i need to read the can of jesso and see if theres anything at the paint store thats like jesso.i can get a gallon of jesso at this fabric store for $30 so thats not too bad.

[vedarby]

How did you hang your canvas on the wall? Is there a cleat on the back? Or what's on the wall? Great videos! Very helpful. Thanks.

[JaneKenoyer]

I will just use screws or nails. I recommend adding a wire on the back for easy hanging. You can get by with hanging the wood of the stretcher on the wall nails if your stretcher is straight and the nails don't interfere with your corner supports.

[jerbroadhurst]

Do you gesso the outside edges of the canvas? And... how long do you wait between coats?

Also, do you sand each layer?

Thanks for sharing your skills. Can't wait to try it.

[JaneKenoyer]

yes i gesso the outside but you don't have to, not all artists do.

i wait for the gesso to dry, gen half a day.. then yes i sand each layer... best of luck!

[cosmic3737]

Thank you Jane. You really gave us a professional demonstration on how to stretch a canvas. Very detailed.

I am planning on using linen. Can I use your same instructions or would there be any changes you may suggest?

[JaneKenoyer]

I am not familiar with linen.. but experimenting is always good!

[rusdi3713]

bagus....great

[twonnypooh]

You seem like you get really happy when you paint. You seemed to be giggling while gessoing your canvas.

[JaneKenoyer]

Yes it is when I am the happiest! Thanks for noticing!

[suncollapse]

Thanks for the info. I really enjoyed watching your videos. I don't have any kind of studio to work in, so that is going to make things real difficult!

[bboppkat]

cool vids, Im going to start one soon! thanks

oh and uummm dont hide behind your hats! your another reason why I watched all 5 vids :)

[braulioneira]

THANKS ALOT!!!

awesome videos;)

[maxiimillion]

Hi there...!

I couldn't find an Oil Paint Primer so I bought a Matt Emulsion Base-C by ICI, Dulux will it work for my canvas please help?

[duongbong]

Awesome job on the vids. Thanks :)

[beedlefan]

great great info, but what is the song at the beginning of this vid? it's very chill and I would like to download it

[sidneyhop]

Awesome! Thanks for all the great info :)

[JaneKenoyer]

Hope this helps. I have a large oak easel now that I use frequently for medium sized paintings. I still have that wall in use though. Thanks for the note. I have so much that I have been doing, and a lot of new work. I just have not been able to get footage posted.

[cnovatoc]

Thanks for the very clear instructional. I was curious about the two parallel boards you have on the wall to hang your canvas, can you detail the system?

Thanks

[JaneKenoyer]

I just use screws or nails that have been sunk into the wall strips at level measurements.

I have very thin walls so I added the strips of pine, 1x4" just to allow myself to poke lots of holes in them, without damaging my walls. The reason there is 2 is that if you use this you will want a bottom strip as well so that your painting will be level against the wall. If you only use one strip the painting will have a gap at the bottom. The second board makes it more stable as it hangs on the wall.

[xo211a]

thank you....im onn cant wait to stretch my first canvas...

[JaneKenoyer]

no i don't but some people do, so it is not unheard of

[1113140]

word.

i wish i had minions to gesso for me.

[JaneKenoyer]

I want minions!

[1113140]

hey, do you dilute with water?

[broseph70]

hottie

[Xophegy]

I don't know im also learning im gonna make 30 2.1x1.75m canvas over frame for a client although im just wondering wouldn't it be easier to just spray the canvas using a compressor ? just a thought lol :)

[hollenbeck1979]

My little sister has become quite an artist so I made her about 6 of these bad boys for Christmas! I would have spent a fortune so thanks for the great step by step. Very helpful!!!

[nezeralus]

wow....that's an incredibly good idea for a gift.

[huynh82dn]

you wore the same pants for all vids. great info on stretching canvas btw.

[csantos1964]

Apart from very beautiful and sexy you're quite intelligent, so a mix very difficult to find.

Thank you very much for the great explanations and pleasurable videos to watch.

Keep up the good work.

Good luck.

[molinee]

Excellent instruction Jane... Thank you. One question, do you gesso just the front of the canvas or also the sides. If you covered this, sorry.

[JaneKenoyer]

I also gesso the sides, not the back though! Cheers! J

[McCainTheTurdburglar]

Damn. This chick is ridiculously hot. And the fact she's so freakin' talented makes her that much hotter.

[lGzYl]

i very much enjoyed watching your tutorial, jane. very informative.. thanks for the time and effort you put in to making the vid for curious ppls like me. much appreciated by all no doubt. :)

ps.. hot girls with power tools own

rawr! ;)

[xoxo276]

i love u jane!!!! and did u paint that decoration on ur wall? cant really tell if it is real or painted! hehe if its painted its a really cool idea. and i can tell ur quite creative...ive never seen anyone wearing a belt that way :P

[dplesu]

thank you!

[nochance101]

hot sexy madness!

[Cyberia3716]

I am a self teaching artist (because Im still learning.) What kind of gesso do you use and do you use the rabbit glue when priming?

[PressStudio]

Thank You!!!

What a pleasure to watch ...

so what became of that canvas?

[FucJesus]

Great vids :)

You should use a roller to put that stuff on way faster, you can rap it in plastic after each cout.

Oh yea your really pretty

[TeWheke1]

What a lovely detailed video on constructing stretcher bars, canvas stretching and prepping. Good on you for taking the time to do this! No offense and at the risk of sounding like a Nanna, please, please use a mask when cutting and sanding wood it isn't good for you.

I know it is hard to talk while wearing a mask, but your lungs will thank you in the future :-)

[truecolour13]

Well i was looking for a video on how to make my own art canvasses..... and i have " Thank you" but so much more.... Jane, you are as refreshing and as inspiring as the sea breeze on a summers day.The internet on a positive note is a universal pool where minds alike can connect . Thank you for sharing bEE :o)

[dancartoons]

Alô, Jane - Gosto muito dos seus vídeos, e também de você. è muito simpática e o conteúdo é muito bom.

Suas ferramentas são bem "Jetsons"

Tanks

[5fullwoods]

as you seem real knowledgable on this, here is a seperate question if you dont mind (for anyone really). I have a painting that has one corner sticking about 3/4in away from the wall b/c of a bent frame. Is there a safe/simple way i can make can make it flush with the wall?

[Vegetanthony]

U R SO INTO UR WORK AND THAT ROCKS ITS SO COOL. I gottu putt something with my art work up, so far i got effects videos and ther mostly crapy

[calme87]

Hey jane, also just finished all 5 videos by now, i love it, really you have done ana amazing benefit to all those poor things who wanted the info; but i wonder if you know the classic recipe of glue and all that, coz the last time i stretched a canvas the mixture wasnt right, and gesso is expensive where i live!:S

Thnx alot again

[JaneKenoyer]

Sorry I just use art store gesso

[mosioatunya101]

Hi Jane - I've just watched all 5 of your videos and I must say they are great.  The finished stretched canvas is a work of art all on its own - shame to paint on it, its' so perfect! I've never stretched a canvas before, but I'm really encouraged to try after watching you work. Thanks again for contributing so much.

[Chordwayze]

Thanks again Jane.

John

[Chordwayze]

Stick a 'paint-stirrer' tool in an electric drill! Wow! No time at all it's stirred! Lol!

Regards

John

[gemgemzzz]

Hi Jane,

I think your videos are fab!

I just wanted to find out how you made/bought the wall-easel that you hang you stretched canvases on to...

Thanks

[JaneKenoyer]

Thanks for that! I made the wall-easel with just 1x4" pine strips that I mounted level on the wall. I then painted them white. Then I just added heavy duty screws on them but also put them level so the paintings hang , well, level! Thanks!

Jane

[gemgemzzz]

Oh so you basically hang the paintings on the heavy duty screw? If I'm wrong pls let me know...

I need to go and get massive ones... Tommorow:)

Thank You so much

[JaneKenoyer]

yep and if you have strong sheet rock or have a wall stud there you can by-pass the horizontal pine strips all together. Nails work too.

Jane

[gemgemzzz]

Thanks so much...

Will love it if you could show it by camera one day when you have time!

XXX

[JaneKenoyer]

Hey how did that go for you?

[DataypeX]

Wow, and to think I almost bought pre-primed canvas....

Thanks mucho

[CassandraKingMuso]

You are goood at this. Everything is very clear and useful - Your style is unpretensious and inclusive. Thanks for your generosity.C

[UtubiaPresident]

This is your first video I watched, very cool. Nice to meet you.\

Check out our community group - youtubia.

[JaneKenoyer]

Thanks soo much, I will have to check that out! TheJane

[ZaneF]

THANK YUUUUUUUUUUUU

[brianlife]

Very cool (you) and very informative! A pleasure to watch you. Thanks for the help!

[artmemoirs]

Jane,

Thanks for sharing this information. Very well done!

[LightWorker1111]

Thanks for sharing and taking the time to post all of this wonderful information! I was especially wanting to see how you fold your corners of the canvas and you even did a close up of that. :)

Thanks so much!

[wildwyckedknight]

I just finished watching all 5 of your "on how to make and stretch your own canvas" Vids. This is a very imformative series. Thanks for sharing your talent. My daughter has taken up painting and this will come in very handy.

[hothot077]

that is such a good song is the white stuff just paint?

[JaneKenoyer]

No it is the primer for under the paint called gesso. Most store bought canvases already have the primer on them and that is why they come white. I know it is hard to make out in the videos but raw canvas is more of a beige color.

[hothot077]

ohhh ok, where could I buy the Gesso?

[JaneKenoyer]

At most art stores, Arrons Brothers or a fine art store would also have it. They come in small bottles or large tubs like the one I have in this video, see 37 seconds in. I use "Prima".

[hothot077]

ok thanks, and how much would the large tub cost?

[JaneKenoyer]

It is generally about $28

[flufferstuff]

Very good, thank you 4 putting this up. I know how 2 do canvasses & gesso but I'm sure not everyone does. & your video didn't have any unhappiness or "ugly" elements in it, which seems to be somewhat of a rare trait on youtube. (In psyc terms, u seem to have a positive "explanatory style.")

[JaneKenoyer]

That is so nice of you to say, thanks very much for the comment. My minor at the University is Psyc. Art students are required to have a minor. Thanks!

[tyakelly]

i have a new vid

[daligoddess2006]

Awesome Jane! You make it look so easy! When I get the room and the right tools, I am going to follow your instructions. You Rock so hard girlfriend! WooHoo!

[sherriwestfall]

I cant wait to get some tools! Thanks Jane. I've never painted on a really large canvas because they are so expensive!

[Annbroy]

I will start making my own canvas's from now on. Thanks Jane for making these videos!

[JaneKenoyer]

You are so welcome!!! I am so glad I could be of help! Thanks for watching, I know that they are long clips.

:-)

TheJane