Pinholes in Claessens?

[Chris Saper]

Several years ago I ordered some Yarka portrait canvases. If I plunked the surface it resonated. Tight as the proverbial drum. I painted what I hoped would be a good portrait, but after some time - I'd say less than 6 months, I noticed pinprick holes. Hundreds.

I removed the stretcher bars and the whole thing was strung so tightly ( originally the canvas was 24 x 18) that the image had to shrink, and would no longer fit the 24 x 18 format.I glued the canvas to a panel, but it has always been a disaster. Fortunately this was an experimental piece of my daughter, but here is what I'd say:

NEVER experiment on a commission canvas.