? About stretching Linen

Valerie Warner · 10-31-2006, 11:26 AM

Greetings!

It's been a long while since I've been on this forum, but praise the angels I get to do a portrait!

I will be using Claussen's 13DP I think (the real smooth linen pre-primed with oil primer) It's been a while since I purchased it but I do know that it is oil primed and very smooth and beautiful linen.

My question is this: Is it advisable to stretch it over a frame that is solid and can NOT accept KEYS in the corners. They are nailed tight. My framer made it for me and now that I'm ready to stretch it I'm worried that the linen will sag with the weather changes. I've always used Keys before to just tighten it up but in this case I will not be able to.

Is this recommended? If not, how do we have cross bars for support and yet keys for tightening?

Your help in this matter is so appreciated!

Val

Allan Rahbek · 10-31-2006, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valerie Warner

My question is this: Is it advisable to stretch it over a frame that is solid and can NOT accept KEYS in the corners. They are nailed tight. My framer made it for me and now that I'm ready to stretch it I'm worried that the linen will sag with the weather changes. I've always used Keys before to just tighten it up but in this case I will not be able to.

Is this recommended? If not, how do we have cross bars for support and yet keys for tightening?

Your help in this matter is so appreciated!

Val

Val,
I see no problems in using the solid frame. If you fix the canvas with stables you will later be able to pick some of them out and further stretch the canvas. Just cut the canvas leaving an extra excess of canvas so that you can pull the canvas when stretching later. The excess should be lightly fixed to the back of the frame. Hope you understand.
Cross bars also have keys.

Sharon Knettell · 10-31-2006, 03:47 PM

I do see a problem. You will always have to keep tightening the canvas by removing the staples. If it is sold or a commission, you would have the wretched prospect of removing it from the stretcher and the frame to do that.

I use Twin Brooks stretchers, reliable, fast service with unique keyable hardware. Just Google them.

What you are using is called a strainer, usually not appropriate in my opinion for professional work , commissioned or not.

Their cross braces are keyed as well.

Valerie Warner · 10-31-2006, 08:13 PM

Oh whoopee!

First of all, thank you to you both for responding. I'm very grateful for your responses for sure! We learn allot on this site.

I'm with Sharon on this one! It makes such sense to just start over. I never knew about that company that makes those cool stretcher bars! Wow! I only paint on linen. I have used different gessos but always linen so it is important to have this ability for adjustments in canvas tension. This is an answer to my prayers and I will be ordering several sets. They are not open right now but I'll call first thing in the morning.

My client is expecting their portrait soon but will be so pleased with the upgrade. I'm following all "rules" to make it last for several lifetimes so 2 more weeks in proper preparation means nothing!

Paint on peoples! I'm one grateful artist!

Allan Rahbek · 11-01-2006, 07:39 AM

Hi Val,
giving it a second thought, I agree with Sharon. I should not recommend others to tinker though I might do so and only with a smaller canvas, say 20 x 15" max.

Valerie Warner · 11-01-2006, 10:14 AM

Thanks Alan.
I love us artists. We do fly by the seat of our pants a lot of the time.
I'm just kind of bummed because I have 4 linen canvases all made up, all over 40 inches x 30 inches and I'm NOT changing them. They do have keys luckily.
I'm checking sizes on 3 new pieces though and ordering those fancy stretcher bars. One is an elephant family and the short side is about 46 inches. The long side is over 70. Fun huh?