How to Stretch a Canvas with Celebrity Artist Michael Bell

[wcbombers21]

That was really amazing thank you for the insight!

[hoolia75]

I haven't stretched a canvas in 12 years. Shame on me! This was a great refresher and I loved the finish product. Thanks!

[3tn13s]

today we stretched out first canvas today in art, and we pulled the canvas with this little things, im not sure what they're called, and i was wondering if you ever use those. Theyre kinda like pliers and you pull the canvas out the same way you did with your fingers.

[xdarkdreamer]

Canvas pliers, and yes, I was instructed to pull the canvas with the same tool.

[sarah90222]

sorry if this is a stupid question im just beginning this: do you have to wet the linen before stretching it?

[Ginasart]

thank you for teaching this i paint on mat board form the gallery is this a good object to paint on and how should i frame the mat board ,i think ill make my own canvases im 48 a mom at home i want to become a pro with out art school ive been teaching my self thruogh wonder ful people like you thank you .i want to teach also some day love gina at ginasart

[BrownWarriorORG]

its nice to see how to stretch a canvas but why bother if u are just going to do a collage on it it would be easier to use a piece of mdf!

[osean2]

Do you always paint the sides black no matter what is on the front? Could you show us how you stretch a large gallery wrap canvas please? Thanks in advance,

[scrottums]

This was really interesting! Thank you

[mbellart]

I agree (on the staples in the back)...a cleaner look and you only have to paint the sides black for gallery viewing. You can only do this on much thicker stretcher bars though for the look to come off well, and in this case, I was teaching a workshop and had student grade stretcher strips (which are thinner) to work with. These thinner stretcher strips I generally always staple on the sides then frame with painted lattice.

Thanks for all the comments!

[sherriwestfall]

This was really interesting! Thank you

[tyakelly]

i actualy preffer to put my staples in the back.

[Freshette]

This was just what I needed to know! Thanks!