Stretching your own canvas is a simple process and a great way to save on supply costs if you paint a lot. Whenever possible I purchase supplies in bulk to take advantage of quantity price breaks. For example, you can save up to 30%, or more, on canvas when you order 10-yards or more at one time.

Parts list

•  stretcher bars (usually purchase ready made stretchers)
• tape measure
• canvas or linen (most often I use 100% cotton duck canvas in an 8 oz. or 10 oz. weight)
• smooth work surface (floor or table)
• staple gun and staples

Preparation

• Assemble stretcher bars into a frame by making sure they are square, either by using a framing square or making sure the measurement is the same from corner-to-corner, (pic 1)
• place the stretcher frame onto a piece of canvas making sure to leave enough canvas to wrap around the stretchers on all sides, (pic 2) cut the canvas to size.
• Starting in the center of one side, staple the canvas the back side of the stretcher frame with a few staples (pic 3). Then, go to the opposite side just stapled, stretch the canvas and place a few staples (pic 4). Repeat on the other two sides, stretching as you go. You should be pulling the canvas tight enough so you need to hold it in place while stapling, but not so tight that the canvas is in danger of ripping. Keep going, working your way toward the corners.
• Finished corners are neat and do not distract from the artwork and make it easy to frame. I have been finishing the corners in the following way for many years but there are several other techniques. Use the one that works best for you. I fold in canvas at a 45 degree angle (pic 5) and then fold again to form a fold on the corner (pic 6). When finished the canvas should be tight enough to sound a little like a drum when tapped in the center. From here you can prime the canvas with gesso (pic 7)

Images

[Show as slideshow]

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Packing for Plein Aire painting

• collect your materials with a plan of the media you will use
• bring everything with you – easel, water for brushes, paint in easy-to-transport containers, palette, brushes, palette knives, other tools, rags for cleaning brushes, etc, tote bag or portfolio for storing work
• Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly
• layered clothing that is easy to move in
• Bring a hat for shade
• folding chair for taking a break or setting your supplies on for easy reach
• snacks & water

Make sure you have a plan to carry everything with you, sometimes you end up walking a distance from a parking area.

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Why bother at all if the underpainting will be covered anyway?

Paint is generally a thin layer which can be sheer in some areas of a painting. As layers of paint are added, some areas beneath show through and the eye of the viewer picks up on the subtle differences in tone, giving the painting more dimension. You can also try putting complimentary colors directly next to each other to achieve a similar effect.

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Warm-up sketches helps to “warm up” the brain before tackling intensive work in the studio. As a painter, sketching also help me get back to the cord of my skills – drawing. I personally like to do contour line drawings for about 10-15 minutes. Any subject matter will do. Today I have used images from my garden as subjects (drawn on sketchbook paper with a marker.) But, I have also drawn impromptu still life subjects right in the studio – jars of brushes and the like.

Preparation

This technique for warm-up sketches was part of my first-year figure drawing classes at Rochester Institute of Technology.  I use it a lot and find it to be a highly effective way to tune-in your brain and hand-eye coordination, and prepare for a intense session of drawing or painting.

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