Linen: Loose & Tight

Mike Dodson · 07-17-2003, 08:57 PM

I am puzzled about a recent portrait I just completed.

It was my first attempt at using the Claessen's #13 SP linen. Since I have completed the painting I have noticed that it will loosen for a period of time and then I will see it again a few days later and it will tighten itself again. It seems to be occuring in one partiicular area of the canvas. I have re-stretched the area twice and it is still happening.

I live in Alabama where we are now getting into those hot/humid days. Is humidity the problem? Has anyone else experienced this?

William Whitaker · 07-19-2003, 09:21 PM

Humidity is the problem. That is the downside of linen. It takes on and gives off moisture. The expansion and contraction eventually leads to cracking.

On a day when the canvas is tight, try stapling a piece of foam core board, mat board or corrigated cardboard on the stretcher bars on the back of the canvas. That may help.

Bill

Michele Rushworth · 07-20-2003, 10:40 PM

Dumb question: does the linen slacken when it is dry or when it is humid?

Timothy C. Tyler · 07-20-2003, 11:27 PM

It tightens when it's wet...humid.

I had to think about that for a minute. Straighten me out Bill if I'm wrong.

Mike Dodson · 07-21-2003, 11:23 AM

Thanks for the response everyone.

Bill, I will try your suggestion. Sounds like that may possibly work. I'll let everone know the results, August is our worst month.

Michelle/Tim,

Seems to tighten with the increase in humidity. I notice that later in the evenings(night) it becomes loose.

Timothy C. Tyler · 07-21-2003, 11:39 AM

If you you rub a damp cloth over the back of a test canvas (or linen) you'll be able to make it happen.

Michele Rushworth · 07-21-2003, 11:50 AM

Just to elaborate on what Tim is recommending: Do it, as he says, on a TEST canvas, not one with a painting you care about.

Water, even a small amount, on the back of a canvas can cause great destruction!

Mike Dodson · 07-21-2003, 12:14 PM

Tim/Michelle,

I'll do just that. I'll stretch another linen canvas, hopefully some time this week.

Mike Dodson · 08-13-2003, 05:42 PM

I stapled a piece of cardboard on the back of the canvas as Mr. Whitaker suggested and so far I haven't seen any changes with the linen loosening/tightening. We certainly have had variations in humidity over the last few weeks.

Thanks for the input!

Linda Brandon · 08-14-2003, 10:42 AM

I hope it isn't off-topic to post this question here. I bought some expensive unprimed linen that was folded into a rectangle and I'm having a hard time getting the folds out of it. Here's what I've tried: stretching the fold out on stretcher bars; spraying the linen with water and stretching it on stretcher bars; soaking the linen in water and ironing it before stretching. I'm not getting good results in any of these scenarios and I'm also wondering if pre-soaking linen and drying it encourages it to sag and behave badly after priming and painting.