Linen stretching and sizing best practices?ApproveRejectUn-ApproveSubscribeUn-Unsubscribe
Question asked 2018-04-09 21:48:39 ...
Most recent comment 2018-04-10 21:06:21
Grounds / Priming
Oil Paint
Flexible Supports
I would like to start using linen and prime my own canvas. I have a
frame commercially made, with pre-stretched duck cotton canvas covered
with acrylic ground and I would like to reuse the stretcher. What would
be recommended as best practice? to stretch and size the linen over the
commercial frame, or take off and toss the cotton canvas and just
stretch and size the linen with rabbit skin glue following a traditional
method?
so my question is, streching linen over an existing cotton canvas would help or hinder the longevity?
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Moderator Answer
(kdeghetal)
There is really nothing wrong with what you are proposing (stretching over already stretched/primed cotton canvas) so long as you do not over soak the linen so that the two might stick together unevenly. Just be sure you read up a bit on the pros and cons of sizing with RSG in our resources section. But all in all we feel that you are alright with going forward with what you proposed.
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Moderator Answer
(mkinsey)
While I wouldn't present it as definitively the "best practice", personally I get best results when stretching fabric on the bias (diagonally against the weave), especially when using a fabric that might pucker at the tacks/staples. Also, there is at least one linen (Utrecht 79D) that does not give good results when sized with RSG, so make sure to check the package label for indications.
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Moderator Answer
(mkinsey)
We try to refrain from recommending specific brands here, but in terms of weight, I would not use anything much lighter than 10 oz for a stretched canvas of those dimensions. For fabric-covered panels, many artists favor lighter weights, which are less prone to curl a panel from shrinkage.
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