How Do You Build an Artist Canvas?

When painting an artwork on a piece of canvas don't be limited by the standard size canvas provided in art stores. Build a large canvas for installation or build one suited to the size of an empty frame found at a sale.

Things You'll Need

• Wood trim 1 inch by 1 inch by 8 feet
• Heavy-duty staple gun
• Raw roll of canvas (not primed)
• Wood glue

Instructions

1. 

   Begin building an artist canvas by determining the size of painting to be painted. Base your canvas dimensions on the size of an ornate finished frame or a wall. Remember to purchase the raw rolled canvas to the size and width of the stretch frame. Gather the supplies.

2. 

   Using any type of wood, cut four pieces of wood to the desired size. Assemble the wood using a heavy-duty staple-gun and wood glue. Staple and glue the ends of the wood together, building a wood frame. Add additional support to the center of the wood frame if the canvas is very large. Simply install another piece of wood to the center of the frame and attach it with staples.

3. 

   Start attaching the canvas on the side of the frame. Using a raw rolled canvas that isn't primed, cut the canvas dimensions to cover the entire frame. Overlap the sides of the frame 3 to 4 inches. Cut enough canvas to attach the staples to the backside of the frame.

4. 

   Fold the corners of the canvas as if wrapping a gift and staple the canvas on the backside of the frame. Moving to the other side, pull the canvas tight and staple the adjacent side. Cut away any excess canvas.

Tips & Warnings

• If your canvas frame is very large, sew the canvas roll together with a heavy-duty sewing machine to make it large enough to fit the frame. Trim and flatten the seams.

Resources

• The Artisan Bazaar