Building Canvases From Scratch

Step 1: Buying the Wood

I buy several pine boards from the hardware store. I like to choose older, seasoned pine with less knots. Every knot is a weak point and might break while I’m using the chopsaw.

Step 2: Cutting

Once the wood is home, I get out my chopsaw and cut four side slats and four angled pieces to keep the frame steady.

For smaller paintings, I sometimes just use one large crossbeam.

Step 3. Assembly

Once I have all my pieces assembled, I lay them on a large table and attach them with four forty-five degree clamps.

Step 4: Glue and Screw

I glue each end and then screw the pieces together.

Why use glue, when I’m going to use screws anyway?

Glue helps so that the wood doesn’t twist and get crooked.

Step 5: Wash the Canvas

I wash my canvas fabric in a washing machine with gentle soap. That ensures my painting doesn’t mold, and removes any dirt accumulated from sitting in the store.

Step 6: Iron

I iron all the wrinkles out of the canvas.

Step 7. Stretch and Staple

With the help of an assistant if the canvas is really big, I stretch the canvas with stretching pliers, and use a staple gun to attach the canvas to the frame. This must be done with extreme precision so that the final painting doesn’t have wrinkles, saggy spots, or a little belly.

Step 8: Clean

I brush off the whole canvas with a hard brush to remove threads, dust, etc.

Step 9. Prime Time

I paint the whole canvas with primer or gesso. Usually I use white but if the subject is a jungle or sky, I may use green or blue.

Step 10. Let dry and prime again

Ready to paint!