Opinions Wanted Loose canvases

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MikeGuilbault

MikeGuilbault

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ELMVALE, Ontario
When stretching photographic giclée canvases, I understand the effects of humidity on a stretched canvas and how it can loosen up and tighten accordingly. I'm using fixed stretchers rather than keyed, and the Breathing Color "Stretch Relief" pliers for the stretching. When I'm done, I get that 'drum tight' feel to it. After a while on display though, they tend to loosen up, some quite a bit more than others. Can humidity affect it that much? Could it be the type of canvas I'm using (Breathing Color 'Lyve')?

I can see using the keyed stretchers for gallery wraps, but if the canvas is going into a frame where the dimensions are fixed, is there any advantage?
 
You are using strainer bars for your mounting, not stretcher bars.


yes

Why not contact the manufacture of the canvas and ask if there are other complaints about stretching?

That is why adjustable stretcher bars were invented, to allow for tension adjustments. We all have "fixed size" frames for fitting.
 
thanks for the clarification on the terminology Jerome.

Contacting the manufacturer was my next step, but I wanted to eliminate the possibility that it was my fault. I was wondering if I was stretching the canvas too much and if a 'drum tight' stretch was necessary or even possibly harmful. The canvas is a poly-cotton blend and wondering if a 100% cotton canvas would be less stretchy?
 
Usually, when fitting stretched canvases into a frame, it's a good idea to leave plenty of 'elbow room'. At least 1/8" all round. Mouldings aimed at containing oil paintings generally have a generous rabbet width. (One hopes....).

Sometimes re-tensioning large canvases can result in the canvas not fitting back in the frame. Usually there will be one or two localised areas that prevent the canvas from fitting. A bit of nibbling with a Dremel+sanding drum generally cures the prob. If the canvas has grown too much and nibbling is going to be extensive, it's often a case of un-mounting the canvas, knocking the bars tight together again and re-stretching.

If you are using a fixed-corner strainer frame, then it might help if you leave the canvas in a relatively humid atmos for a day or two before stretching. But canvas is funny stuff and sometimes it will sag what ever you do. That's where keyed bars are a boon.
 
Pulling poly canvas drum taught with pliers is your problem. I think you are over-stretching and are getting rebound.
 
There's another alternative: are you storing your strainer stock outside?

If so, it's contracting indoors as it dries.
 
It's not you, it's the nature of the beast.

These are all interesting points, and many are exactly correct for real paintings...but giclee canvases are a different animal from traditional paintings on canvas and do not act the same at all. I tested poly-cotton, 100% cotton, dye inks, pigment inks, in high humidity and low humidity, even freezing, and results were inconclusive. What I can say is that is is not the type of canvas; when, where or how it is stretched--unless poorly stretched by hand--or whether it was humid or not. I do think weight of the canvas might be an issue though.

This is precisely why for years I have been the advocate for mounting digital canvases to rigid substrates. And finally after only 10 years...Paul MacFarland finally agrees with me.
Chris Paschke
 
This is a very interesting reply, Chris, and I really appreciate it.:thumbsup:
I often get inkjet canvasses on what I like to call "window shade material".
It's just carp and we do the best that we can when we deal with it.
 
DesignsInk said:
It's not you, it's the nature of the beast.
This is precisely why for years I have been the advocate for mounting digital canvases to rigid substrates. And finally after only 10 years...Paul MacFarland finally agrees with me.
Chris Paschke
Click to expand...

I guess part of it then is educating the client on the best method, however, the popularity of 'Gallery Wraps' is still wide-spread, especially in the photographic industry, and asked for more often than any other product. So, I need to find a way to make it work.

I'll order in some 100% cotton canvas (Hahnemuhle Monet Canvas) and try that, and possibly on keyed stretchers rather than strainers. Do you think that may help Chris?
 
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