A grand Stretch

It’s been a while since I have put together stretchers – wooden frames over which canvas is stretched – certainly not since being in Contact Studios Prime, maybe 15 years ago or more.

The main reason for that was the technique I employed for a long time of pouring glazes, was unsuited to the surface. As can be seen from the above picture, taken in my studio, the base frame consists of 2×1 timber (baton), while a thinner piece (beading) is used on top, keeping the material taut and away from the baton surface.

The canvas needs a little ‘slack’, as the warmed up glue solution – ‘size’ – that is applied (above) adds extra tension, while also acting as a preservative and pre priming coat.

It’s a new primer I’m checking out, so I’m looking forward to seeing how the surface is to paint on.

Reports will follow!