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Materials:

First, look over the canvas material (picture, print, and so on) and then collect the necessary materials for tightening up the canvas (see below - 'Materials Needed' or 'Tightening using Wedges [Keys]' section). 

Here we have an unprimed linen canvas that is already stretched onto 24”x36” stretcher bars. 

Materials needed for this demonstration are:

Warm Water

Bowl (A spray bottle may be used, but it will take a lot of squeezing the trigger to get the amount of water needed for this canvas.)

Sponge (or wash cloth)

Hand Towel

Drying Method: 

Hair (Blow) Dryer – Oven – The Sun

Apply a liberal amount of water onto the canvas. Be sure to cover the front, back, corners, and sides of the canvas (for unprimed canvas). Use the sponge to rub in the water into the canvas. If your canvas is already primed just water the back and inside corners well. Allow to soak in for a couple of minutes. Then hand dry any excess water from the canvas. 

Decide which method will work for you then proceed to dry the canvas with warm to very warm heat. 

Hair (Blow) Dryer –

This can be done inside by putting the dryer on a warm setting, if using ‘hot’ be sure that the dryer is further away from the canvas as to not scorch it. Drying the canvas this way may take some elbow grease and time, however this way is more controlled and easier to see when the canvas is dry.

Oven - 

Using the oven is another great method in drying a canvas (and the drying method that I use most). Just put the oven onto the lowest setting (usually 175° Fahrenheit or 79° Celsius). Place the canvas upright in front of the oven’s open door and leave for about thirty (30) minutes then flip the canvas over for another twenty (20) minutes. Check occasionally on the canvas, especially those last twenty minutes for dryness.

The Sun – 

If the day is warm (hot) and sunny than it is perfect for drying a canvas. Humidity does make a difference on the drying time, however checking it occasionally for dryness will give you an idea about how long it will take to dry. 

This method is a safe and easy way to fix and correct a canvas and it works every time. 

Another idea for tightening a canvas is to use wedges (or keys). After a period of time either during or after painting, the tension of the canvas could become loose. If this occurs, the tension can be regained by tightening as mentioned above or by fitting the canvas with wedges into the corners of the canvas.

Here is a quick and easy way to use the wedges. 

Materials needed for this demonstration are:

Hammer

8 Wedges or Keys (two per corner)

Cardstock

Canvas (on Stretcher Bars) 

In this section of tightening a canvas tutorial we are using a Primed Canvas.

· First thing to do is to check your wedges. They must be smooth as to not mar or damage the canvas. If the wedges are rough or splintered, then file or sand down all the edges of the wedges to make them suitable for tightening the canvas.

· Place a piece of cardstock between the stretcher bars and the canvas in each corner. This will protect the canvas from any accidental contact during the wedge fitting.

· Insert the wedges by hand into all the corners (as shown).

· Stand the canvas upright.

· Using a hammer, gently knock the wedges into the corner while supporting the canvas with your free hand.

· Use the wedges in one corner at a time and do not knock the wedges in too far (this may lead to an uneven stretch).

· Rotate the canvas and continue to knock the remaining wedges in with the hammer. Then go around again until the desired tension is reached. This will help in keeping the canvas squared.

· Once the fitting and wedges are in place you can take out the cardstock (if desired). 

These tips and tutorial are meant as a guide to aid in maintaining and fixing canvases. 

If you have any question or comments, feel free to contact us at any time. 

Q. How do you fix ripples, dents, or a wrinkle on a canvas?

A. If the damage is just in one area of the canvas and you do not want to use the wetting method above for tightening it up, you can lay the canvas face down on a clean thick cotton towel. Hold a steam iron about 1-3 inches above the back of the canvas. Lightly release steam onto the damaged area until it's warm and wet. Let it stand for a couple of minutes then wipe off excess water and dry it upright using the drying methods mentioned above. 

Q. Do you need to use wedges before you start working on the canvas?

A. There is really no need to fit the canvas with wedges before you start working. You only need to stretch a pre-primed canvas enough to make it taut. For an unprimed canvas you can tighten it up using the wetting and drying method above prior to priming. Keep in mind, that priming a canvas can cause it to shrink up a little, too. Wedges can be inserted into the canvas bars before painting or after. They can be used to give it that last bit of tightening. 

Q. How do you flatten a canvas before stretching it?

A. You should lay your canvas face down onto a thick towel (over an ironing board) and damp the back of the canvas lightly with water (you can use a spray bottle). You just need to dampen the fabric rather than soak it. Gently iron over the surface, keeping the iron moving, using the steam from the iron your canvas will be wrinkle-free in no time. Keep in mind that if using a hot iron, it may shrink up a little bit, be sure to iron before measuring and cutting the canvas for your stretcher bars.

Q. How do you flatten a warped watercolor picture?

A. Usually, watercolor is used on watercolor paper and not usually canvas. However, if you have a warped watercolor picture on paper, try gluing it onto a sturdy support (i.e. masonite board) using a speed ball roller go over the whole picture to get all air and wrinkles out. Then lay a cover over (the whole picture) it and then place on top a heavy item to add an even pressure and allow to dry 12-24 hours. If you have a warped picture, you can fix it. Here are some basic steps that you can use to fix a watercolor picture.

On a clean, flat, and even surface place your picture face down. Gently spritz the back with a spay bottle so it is evenly wet. You can use a sponge or brush to spread out the water. Lay down something flat (like a board) that is a bit larger than the picture. Then put something heavy on top (like books). Leave for about 24 hours. On rare occasions, the paper may warp a little after leaving it out post-flattening (depending on the humidity of the air). If this happens, repeat this process only leave the paper weight on for longer than 24 hours.

Q. Why do my canvases keep warping?

A. Most canvas boards are made up of cardboard or compressed glued wood covered with a thin canvas. Thus, when any liquid that is placed on them, they will soak up the liquid or paint and warp. Here are some quick, inexpensive, and easy ways to avoid this. Be sure to coat your canvas prior to painting. Some may suggest, if using acrylic, that you can coat the canvas boards or panels with a sealant such as PVC glue with a little water (mix 50/50 brush a very thin coat), or lacquer a white spray paint, or gloss sealant. 

However, keep in mind that, “haste makes waste” – Benjamin Franklin. I would review section 2 (Painting with Confidence) in my, You Can Paint Portraits: Oil Painting – Mastering the Classical Style, where I cover how to prime a canvas that will work with any medium on any support.