Oversize Canvas to stretch - Help!

Rozmataz

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Joined
Jun 13, 2002
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Fingerlakes Region of NYS
I just got in a HUGE (48 x 60) canvas (original acrylic painting, barely dry) to stretch...

Not too concerned with the overall process... except - how do I store this until I get the materials in...

And... any warnings of obstacles of stretching this size piece... I have done smaller ones with little "sweat"... But this is a major!!

Thanks,

Roz
 
I’m sorry but I cannot offer any illuminating solution
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….but the question is of interest, I had a call the other day asking if I would stretch a 3 x 2 meter that’s approx 120 x 80 inches :rolleyes: …..I have hedged on that one
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…….I would have problems just handling that size in my workshop
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………then again I could think about building that extension to my workshop that I keep thinking about :rolleyes: …….oh well I’m interested in the response to this one…
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Well, The best way I have found to store these kinds of things is to place plastic wrap over the painted image and just roll it up. I buy alot of oil paintings unstretched and this is how all of them come to me. It's best if you roll it around a tube or somthing like that to keep it from folding. It doesn't take up that much space like that.
Also when stretching, you want to make sure you have a couple of braces in your stretcher bars or it will bow.
I hope you get to frame it and not just stretch it. ;)
Good luck, I hope this helped.

Jennifer
 
I would have sent it home with the owner until it was dry and I had my supplies assembled if I didn't have a place to put it. Acrylic should be dry. Hang it by tacks on the wall.

Do artist these days actually paint that without it being stretched? Removing a large canvass for shipping I understand but one still wet.
 
But Jennifer, this one hasn't even had time to dry yet. I'd try to get this sucker in and out as fast as possible! Or at least stretch framed and on the wall as fast as I could.

This is a peeve for me (follow up from an older thread) when artists bring in works in progress to be framed for a show that weekend.

Invariably they want to take the work home and while there they change the colors, size and wonder why it doesn't work in the frame you had picked earlier! Adds a challenge to say the least.
 
The largest we've ever stretched was a 6' x 8'. What a pain in the rumbleseat. You'll definitely need more than just your two hands. But we pulled it off and it looked great. (Had to stretch it elsewhere as we couldn't get it through the shop door when framed. And we did get to frame it.
)

I sure wouldn't stretch it while still drying for fear of being responsible if messing it up, but I know you'll do the best you can.
 
We have done many "oversized" canvases for many artists over the years. The largest was 10' x 20'. The strainer was pre-assempled and dis-assembled for transport. The actual stretching was done on site at the Michigan Library. Time on site was a full day for 2 of us plus the artist who was an actual hinderance.

The most complex were 6' x 10' canvases for another artist. The bars were 4" deep (front to back) and tilted inward about 30 degrees. Much like a frame with a reverse profile. We did about 10-14 of these for a major installation at the former Chrysler Tank plant where they made some of the A1M1 Abrams tanks. We rented a trailer for delivery.

The basic process is the same........just take your time.......have a second pair of hands with you.....and go for it. Also make sure that there are enough cross braces for proper support when you stretch the fabric taught.
 
Roz:
The best would be to suspend it vertically by the top ege but this takes space in a shop so the next best thing is to roll it. Of course rolling any artwork is counter-indicated but there are cases where it is necessary.
Try to get a wide cardboard tube like those used for linoleum. When rolling artwork, the wider the better. Protect the surface with glassine to prevent smudge. Wax paper works also in a pinch. Roll the canvas face out. This way, if it develops cracks (which I doubt) they will close up when the painting is laid flat again. I would also place several layers of paper (may be newspaper) between the glassine and the back of the canvas to cushino it and prevent possible abrasion in rolling or unrolling.

Paul Frederick, CPF
 
Originally posted by J Phipps TN:
But Jennifer, this one hasn't had time to dry yet.


did I read it wrong? He said it was barely dry. Acrylics dry alot faster than oils. It should be fine.
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Jennifer
Sorry if I offended you Jennifer, I was mentally recalling a customer of mine who had rolled up a canvas, acrylic "before it fully dried" and he didn't take the care you most likely do! Suffice it to say that it was stuck together, peeled off in parts, and I think the paintbrush was stuck to it!

I must admit I was glad he offered to unroll it.
 
It takes alot more than that to offend me. You're fine

I just Thought maybe I miss read the post. You are right if it is not dry all the way. But if you put Cling wrap over it and roll it up the wrap should not stick, but to be sure he could use wax paper as suggested by someone earlier.

Any way , no hard feelings
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Jennifer
 
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