Different Ways to Mount Acrylic Paintings on Unstretched Canvas
Acrylic paintings are one of the newest painting mediums in art. Acrylics can be painted on most surfaces, such as stretched and unstretched canvases, including canvas pads. Painting on unstretched canvas is tricky, but this method is often employed when special effects are required, such as for drip acrylic paintings and some types of abstract art. You also can create an acrylic painting in the traditional method on stretched canvas and later unmount the painting from the frame for ease of transportation. In either case, the painting will need to be mounted on a frame or like a tapestry for display purposes.
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Acrylic Paintings
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Acrylic paints are made from pigments suspended in a synthetic acrylic material. They were developed in the 20th century as a by-product of the plastic industry. There are many types of acrylic paints, suitable for several different uses. You will be able to find acrylic paints that fit your artistic skill level and your budget. Different acrylic paints are made for outdoor painting, crafts, student art and fine art. Acrylic paintings on canvas are a popular choice for modern artists, providing a quicker option for creating art than oil paintings and more versatility than watercolor painting.
Canvas
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Canvas used for painting is usually made from linen or cotton duck. The most suitable types of canvas for painting with acrylics are stretched and unstretched canvas, canvas pads and canvas panels. Canvases made of cotton are usually cheaper, more flexible and easier to stretch than linen canvases. Unstretched canvas is canvas that has not been mounted. It usually comes in a roll and allows you the flexibility of mounting it in any way you wish. It also allows you to create paintings of unusual size or dimensions. Canvas pads also are made of sheets of unstretched canvas.
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Mounting
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The most common means of mounting an acrylic painting on unstretched canvas is by stretching it over a frame or canvas stretcher. You need to make or purchase a frame of an appropriate size for the painting. You would then carefully stretch the canvas over the four sides of frame and neatly and securely staple the canvas to the back of the frame. To protect the painting, you can frame it by placing a clear glass panel over the surface and mounting the stretched canvas in a decorative frame. If the canvas is very heavy, you can mount the painting on a casing, thread it through a rod and hang it in the same manner as you would a tapestry. Paintings done on canvas pads can be stretched on a frame or affixed to a sturdy backing board using staples or glue.
Precautions
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Take care when stretching an acrylic painting done on unstretched canvas by not creasing the painting more than necessary, as the stress of stretching can cause cracks in the paint and ultimately damage the painting. Do not mount and unmount paintings repeatedly unless absolutely necessary.
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