FramerDave
PFG, Picture Framing God
I'll post this here so as not to threadjack the other topic, Canvas Painting Without Stretcher .
Someone suggested wetting/spraying the back of the canvas after stretching to tighten it. Others advised against it, pointing out that it could damage the ground/gesso that was put on the canvas to prepare it to recieve the paint. Hugh pointed out that wetting some canvas could cause it to actually stretch, making it looser.
My question: What is the logic behind wetting the canvas to make it tighten up? I suppose the theory is that it will cause it to tighten up, but what would keep it tight after it dries? Wouldn't it just loosen up when the ambient humidity goes up?
Or one could wet it before stretching, on the theory that it would contract and tighten up as it dries once it's stretched, sort of the way we used to do with dust covers. But assuming it did work, wouldn't it have way too much tension on it, epsecially during a time of very low humidiity?
I guess I'm with Jim. I wouldn't do it.
Someone suggested wetting/spraying the back of the canvas after stretching to tighten it. Others advised against it, pointing out that it could damage the ground/gesso that was put on the canvas to prepare it to recieve the paint. Hugh pointed out that wetting some canvas could cause it to actually stretch, making it looser.
My question: What is the logic behind wetting the canvas to make it tighten up? I suppose the theory is that it will cause it to tighten up, but what would keep it tight after it dries? Wouldn't it just loosen up when the ambient humidity goes up?
Or one could wet it before stretching, on the theory that it would contract and tighten up as it dries once it's stretched, sort of the way we used to do with dust covers. But assuming it did work, wouldn't it have way too much tension on it, epsecially during a time of very low humidiity?
I guess I'm with Jim. I wouldn't do it.