| People who don't paint or know little about art | | | | where the stretcher ends are joined together. |
| may not think much about canvas stretchers. | | | | This is important, regardless of whether you're |
| They are out of the way, for one, and may not | | | | buying rectangular canvas stretchers or round |
| seem to contribute much to the painting itself. | | | | ones. Any misalignments can create problems |
| But for the artist, the use of canvas stretchers is | | | | such as tears and unsightly angles in the canvas |
| just one of the most critical steps to producing a | | | | later. |
| great work of art. It's part of the preparatory | | | | Look for 'lipped' edges. |
| stage for every painting and as such, is essential | | | | Ideally, the canvas should not touch the frame |
| to ensuring that a canvas is indeed ready for a | | | | when it's stretched over. This assures you that |
| stroke of creativity and genius. If you're buying | | | | the face of the painting will remain smooth over |
| your canvas stretchers readymade, here are tips | | | | the years. Although you could probably create |
| on how to check for quality: | | | | the lips on your own, having canvas stretchers |
| Go for the right thickness. | | | | that already have these will save you a lot of |
| There are certain specifications you need to | | | | work. |
| consider when buying readymade canvas | | | | Buy only from a reputable store. |
| stretchers. Makers of these stretchers usually | | | | You'll probably find shops specializing in school and |
| sell them at standard sizes, which should pretty | | | | office supplies that also sell canvas stretchers. If |
| much meet your needs. Check the stretchers | | | | you are familiar with stretchers, you could |
| for sufficient thickness. Smaller canvases work | | | | probably pick out quality readymade bars from |
| best with thinner stretchers while bigger ones will | | | | these places – if you know what to look for. |
| require thicker stretchers. | | | | The only problem is that if you have questions |
| Most readymade canvas stretchers you'll find are | | | | regarding them, you might not find someone who |
| off-the-shelf types. If there is a specific size or | | | | can help you with the specifics. If you want to |
| shape you prefer, you might have to turn to | | | | talk to a knowledgeable retailer, it's recommended |
| custom-made stretchers. | | | | that you buy from shops that specialize on art |
| Look for smooth edges. | | | | supplies. Art supply stores have a reputation to |
| Stretchers will be covered by the canvas itself, | | | | keep and thus, try to uphold standards regarding |
| which means that the canvas follows the shape | | | | their supplies. If you want readymade canvas |
| of the stretcher. Make sure that edges are | | | | stretchers that are top quality, go to a reliable |
| aligned and smoothed out, particularly those | | | | supplier. |