Successfully stretching pre-primed linen.

[John Reidy]

Michele,

Thanks for the heads up regarding the water. I use the water sparingly in a spray bottle, not to the point of run-off. Plus I only do it on those pesky wrinkles that I hope I won't have to deal with (with the exception of my related story) using your's and Garth's method of tacking the corners.

Thanks again.

[Julie Deane]

Garth,

I'm resurrecting your post to thank you for it. I've had such trouble in the past with wrinkles in the canvas. I've used your method, and it works very well.

In my case, I think part of my problem was that I was pulling too tight from the get-go. This time I stretched the canvas with a light pull, then after it was in place and wrinkle-free, went back, took the staples out in small sections at a time and re-stretched as I went, working from side to side as originally. I was able to pull the canvas even tighter this way, with not a wrinkle to be seen. It seemed to me that the (linen double-primed) canvas relaxed a bit after sitting for a while in-between stretching sessions.

[Michele Rushworth]

It seemed to me that the (linen double-primed) canvas relaxed a bit after sitting for a while in-between stretching sessions.

This happens to me, too. Now, before I deliver a painting I restretch the canvas and make it just a bit tighter. I've had canvases get all saggy within a few months of delivery and I don't want that to happen again.