CRAZY CANVAS

Re-stretching canvases - How does it work?

CRAZY CANVAS comes ready to paint with a drum-tight stretch on a sturdy wood frame. Before you start to paint the canvas, you do not have to stretch anything.

Only after we are finished painting, tightening the canvas may be necessary, which we will cover in this blog. After, take a look at our Guide for more tips and a step-by-step instructions.

When do you re-stretch a canvas?

There can be various reasons why a painting needs to be re-stretched: 

  • very high application of paint on the canvas, for example due to pouring technique or heavy mixed media
  • warping of the stretcher frame due to transport damage
  • incorrect storage, for example permanently high humidity
  • incorrect hanging, for example, if a particularly heavy frame has not been hung in a balanced manner, causing the stretcher frame to warp.

In these cases, the finished artwork can be re-stretched. 

Attention.
The painting on the canvas must be completely dry before you stretch the canvas. 

What do you need to re-stretch a painting?

To re-stretch a canvas you need a hammer, eight wooden wedges and some space. 

With each CRAZY CANVAS frame 40x50cm and larger, you get a bag with 8 wedges. Two for each corner of the frame. If you lose them, you can buy standard wedges from your local artist supply store.

Standard wedges are made of pinewood, but there are also extra stable wedges made of beech hardwood.

The hammer does not have to meet any specific requirements. You should only be able to wield it well. 

Holzkeile zum Nachspannen von Keilrahmen

How to properly stretch a canvas?

To stretch the canvas properly, place the painted, dry canvas on the front side. To avoid damaging the painting, place the canvas on a smooth, clean table with a cloth or on the back of a stable easel.

Now you can see the back of the canvas with the staples and the frame bars with slots in the corners.

Use a hammer to drive the clamping wedges into all corners. 

Caution.
To keep the canvas evenly stretched, you should gently tap the wedges into all 4 corners evenly, piece by piece. Also check again and again that the frame bars do not warp in one direction. 

More tips and tutorials for stretched canvases

Pre-drawing and erasing on canvases

The Classic canvases are eraser-proof. Under the following conditions, you can remove sketches without leaving any residue.

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Re-stretching canvases - How does it work?

If you notice that the canvas is no longer tight, you can re-stretch your painting. Here we show you how to do it.

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Mixed Media on Canvas

What is Mixed Media? How does mixed media work on stretched canvases? Here we show you what tools, frames and attachments you can use to create your own mixed media art.

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Properly store and hang stretched canvas

What is the best way to store canvases after completion? How do you hang stretched canvases correctly? These are the questions we explore here.

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Which colors are suitable for canvases?

In this overview you will find all the information you need about paints on canvas.

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