How To Make and Stretch a Canvas: Episode 3: Making and Stretching a Canvas Frame

[JaneKenoyer]

Good question! Yes, they are cut at a 45. The corners don't have to be an exact length, they are in relation to the canvas you are building. I recommend making a 4 pieces the same length and could be anywhere from 9"- but no longer than 20" long. The 20" is on my 7 foot long canvas, that is the biggest corner brace that I have done. The dimension should not interfere with the other stretcher support pieces, so you will have to do a bit of planning. I try to use left over scrap wood for these.

[KaliWolfswan]

I'm still unsure of how you got the corner braces...don't remember you measuring them. How long are they in relation to the sides? Are they 45?

[maxmamed]

wow u r so prety!

[MrWopwink]

I wish she worked in my studio

[JaneKenoyer]

I have heard of people doing that. I never have personally but I encourage you to experiment.

[sennamiller]

Hi,

We are making a canvas for a "craft" of sorts and wanted to use heavy guage canvas (almost tarp like material) rather than the fine painting canvas. Have you ever tried it? Would you stretch and gesso in the same manner? Awesome video series BTW!

[ArtWithRob]

where do you get your canvas rolls and how much does it cost?

[JaneKenoyer]

@ArtWithRob go to Dick Blick.com you can get rolls and price by the yard there.

[moondog50002000]

I'm a farmer and you have better tools that I have lol

[konzwambii]

She's so cute that I don't care at all that this is NOT the way to make a decent stretcher.

[cjrubbish]

Seems you'd want to bevel the wood prior to attaching it together. You can use a router table that way. Just my two cents.

[atomicease]

just curious about everyones preference.. routing or quater-round?

[bellevuefineart]

Nice. I like how you do both the edges and the bevel. We make all our own stretcher bars, and basically do what you do, only we use the router on 12 foot sticks before we cut and assemble. I don't care for the table saw method. Routing like you do gives us the best results.

[yasmind09]

can you explain how i could use a saw instead of a router

[JaneKenoyer]

yes just do a 45 on a table saw

[yasmind09]

thanks alot this really helped me out. i really dont know how to use a router can you explain how

[DLEMate]

Flip flops and power tools should not be used together.

[valeagrl1]

I really like the music at the beg of your vids!! : )

[JaneKenoyer]

It makes a 45 degree round. so the bit has a half moon kind of shape with a small lip. Sorry don't have the name.

[pscjavvy08]

At 0:32 on your video, what type of bit are you using on your router? Great vid btw...

[greathayz]

So to make the frames you use 1x3 pine wood?? And same for the corner braces right?? For the center support what type of scrap wood do you use??

What is your guide on determining how long to make your corner braces or what sizes to add the center brace on?

Also I was searching online for that wood and wasnt sure where to get it easily, where do you get yours?

you prime the edges when that steps comes correct??

[JaneKenoyer]

You can use 1x2" or 1x3" or even 1x4". That is the nice thing about making your own; you can add in your own preference to the project. I use the small size 1x2" (or what ever I have for scraps) for the corners. I also use 1x2" for the center braces, it keeps it from getting to heavy.

[JaneKenoyer]

When you are placing your back supports keep in mind that you will be hanging it so good rule of thumb don't put a brace where you will need a hanger/nail support. I don't go to big with the corner brace 1 foot average length.

Wood is from Home Depot or Lowes

Yes prime the edges.

Hope this helps!

Thanks for stopping by.

Jane

[jelpspeed]

thank you cute! now I make my own canvas, and started painting a lot more than before watching your videos.

kisses

[r55306]

I will have to try your "beveling method". In school, I was always taught to use quarter rounds. Do you ever frame your paintings? If so, how? Anyway, thanks for posting!

[JaneKenoyer]

Sorry I forgot to reply to ya!

Table saw method is the best, but beveling works if you don't have a table saw. Quarter rounds are cool too! I like making my own because there are so many choices on how to do it.

I have made my own frames. It is hard. I made them out of wood that I plained with a wood plainer and set the painting is like your normal floating frames. Framing is always either hard work or expensive.

Great points thanks for posting! Jane

[dyingtodeath]

You should market yourself as a character to a reality show production company. The character is a young, charmingly spacy girl, who surprises viewing expectations by expertly working with power tools like a pro. Kind of like Paris Hilton meets This Old House. The juxtapositioning of the visual contradiction entertains while infoming. Could work.

[valeagrl1]

Or... she could just live by the beach, make canvases, express herself through painting, & benefit us on youtube by giving tutorials.... LOL (reality shows and being famous like Paris Hilton, is stupid.  This girl here is smart!)

[fortheloveofron]

the strecher is pretty nice too

[fortheloveofron]

nice frame...

[daligoddess2006]

I bet the factories don't make as nice a canvas as you!

[iimmerse]

How much does a frame end up costing you after creating it?

[JaneKenoyer]

Usually about $14-20 for a larger sized one.

[WilliamAmoy]

I wish I had a studio to play in and make a mess like that!

[JaneKenoyer]

I sure do make a mess in there! Hey, thanks for the comment!

TheJane

[sherriwestfall]

I love this series! Thanks! Can't wait to see the stretching part!

[D3THL02D]

Oh man, looks like there'd be a lot of sawdust left around. Pretty sure my roommates would kill me when I got to this part of the project!

Great vid!

[valeagrl1]

haha.. LOL that's funny...