canvas paper

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CGF II, Certified Grumble Framer Level 2
Joined
Dec 22, 2006
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Asheville, NC
Hey all,
I already have an idea how I am going to do this but I figured I would ask here first. I have a 22 X 17 piece done on canvas paper, it is to be framed to the image (i originally wanted to float the piece but the client balked). What is the best method of mounting such a thing?
Thanks in advance!
 
j Paul, you confused me with that one...:kaffeetrinker_2:.

I would probably use Frank's Fabric Adhesive and roll it on the back and then weight mount it to a suitable substrate like AF fom-cor then back with polyflute board if the size is such that additional reinforcement is needed.

I'm presuming this is the cheap plasticized type material that Tara Frederix puts out in pad form as a practice painting pad. They also do have a real cotton canvas pad too.
 
Thats what I was a planing... figured I see what you guys had to say.
Thanks so much for the advice.
And the humor too!
 
As an example of my newly found fortitude, I hereby refrain from the very funny thing I was about to write in response to the last two posts. Keeping it on Warped is easy most of the time, but at a rare and glorious moment such as this, it pains me to no end. Still, I shall not be moved.....
 
You might inform the customer (when they pick up the finished frame) that the canvas paper is great for practice, and that you are looking forward to seeing their art done on better quality canvas next time.
 
Susan May said:
You might inform the customer (when they pick up the finished frame) that the canvas paper is great for practice, and that you are looking forward to seeing their art done on better quality canvas next time.
Click to expand...

That sounds a bit harsh to me.... as in "I professional framer" against "you amateur artist". Sure you don't mean it like that!;)

You might start by asking gently why they started out on the canvas paper in the first place. Is it lack of experience, price or preference.
Some artists really like to work on paper. Was this oil or acrylics on canvas paper? If using acrylics, (I am not sure for oil, but guess that will work as well) you can advise them to use a good quality watercolor paper. You buy it in sheets and cut to size (or tear), less expensive than the canvas, either paper or stretched but very high quality. And, as a framer, it gives you all the flexibility of framing it as a watercolor.... design, mat, glazing.
 
It's not harsh to tell the customer that you liked their work, and that you think they are good enough to use better supplies. It's honest, and the customers I've delt with, always looked at me as the "Expert". (But then our store taught oil painting classes. We were a full range Arts and Crafts store back before the chain stores decided to get in the game.)

If a teacher in your field tells you that you are worth using better supplies in order to have a better finished product, wouldn't you listen to them?
 
I would start out by telling them that I like their work (and maybe express concern about the canvas paper) but still think my approach is a bit more respectful of their feelings. Asking why something was picked and then offer alternatives just makes more sense to me.

Just my opinion. Two different people, two different approaches.:smiley::icon21:
 
It's not two different approaches. You missunderstood my post. Telling a customer that they are good enough to use Professional quality materials in no way insults the customer. Especially if you inform them of how good their art is FIRST. I'm sorry if I sounded like I was insulting the customer's intellegence, I would never want to insult a customer... it's a good way of loosing them.

I just didn't think that I would have to spell out an entire conversation.

An examlpe of how I might handle the situation:

me: Here you go Mrs. Jones. Your painting is really beutifull. I see some really good techniques here. Are you using Bob Ross's books?

Mrs. Jones: Oh, thanks. No, I 've been taking classes at the local College.

me: May I ask why you used Canvas paper, instead of a stretched canvas?

Mrs. Jones: That is what we were using in class. Is there a difference?

me: Well, I think you are ready to try using some more professional quality supplies. You will be surprised how much easier painting gets when you upgrade your supplies. I look forward to seeing your first painting on canvas.


Honestly, that was close to a real conversation that I had with a customer of mine. She switched to canvas, and 1 year later was doing paintings for consignment. She did photo realism portraits.

A few weeks after that conversation with her, she thanked me for the confidence that I had in her. She knew that she was using practice materials, but was afraid to move on to the more expensive supplies because she didn't feel she was ready. When she switched to better brushes, paint and canvases, her paintings got MUCH better.

She once said that if I had not encuraged her to move on to better quality, she might never have become a portrait painter.
 
Hi Sue,

You basically did what I would have done (didn't need it spelled out:smiley:)

Again, I was just pointing out I would first ask the customer why they used the paper, as you did in your conversation. Your first post didn't really sound like that.
Ylva
 
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