Welcome to the Carriveau Arts Unlimited blog about canvas stretching. Canvas stretching made easy! While it is easy enough to simply buy an already stretched canvas, people that know their art truely appreciate an artist stretched canvas. It is not that difficult and can save the artist money.


The canvas stretcher is the wooden frame in which the canvas is stretched on. Usually, if you buy the canvas stretcher from a store you have to piece it together. Make sure the corners are squared at 90 degrees, otherwise this could lead to problems if you are going to frame your oil painting in the future. If you know someone who is wood shop savy maybe approach them about making some canvas stretchers for you.  If you have the proper equipment and know how they are not that hard to make, if not, they are available to be pieced together from most craft stores.


Another important ingredient in the creation of your artist canvas is the canvas material. You want 100% cotton. You always want your art supplies to be archival as to preserve your works. There are varying degrees and prices of canvas. Some of the best canvas is linen.

Check out this short instructional video:

Stretch it...Stretch it real good!


This is the first step in starting an oil painting. Sometimes the hardest part is getting started, but once you do, then it is all easy peezy.

Finally, always remember to gesso your canvas several times before you begin painting on it.
Happy Painting!!!!!