Is there any way to tighten a loose canvas other than gesso? I used some pastels on top of paint and now the canvas is kind of loose where I pressed too hard……but….I like the piece and don’t wanna just junk the whole thing!

Thanks!

Hi Deb,

You can spray a light mist of water on the back of the canvas, onto the raw cloth. As the water dries, the canvas will tighten up. Spray more if you have to. Also, there’s a tightener you can buy at an art store called “Tight n’ Up.” You also spray it on the back of a canvas and the canvas will tighten up as it dries and stay tight. A warning though, this product smells a little funky so be prepared.

… like bad b.o. or urine… blech…

Sara

Hi:

If you’ve used regular stretcher bars, you might try getting some stretcher keys – they are small pieces of wood that fit down in where the frame bars attach to each other and are like wood shims. You can probably find them at art stores, as frame keys.

I’ve also seen a spray that reportedly tightens canvases, but I can’t find the name. Hope this helps.

I’ve found that merely spraying regular water on the back of a canvas and then setting it in the sun tightens it very quickly and well…:)

Cathleen~

[FONT=Times New Roman]~Be COURAGEOUS, It's one of the few places left still uncrowded~

[FONT=Times New Roman]~Life is not measured by it's length BUT by it's depth~

I just use water and a blow dryer. You dont want to saturate the canvas, just spray sparingly with an atomizer and blow dry. Stretcher keys are the best solution, but I cut most of my own stretcher bars and usually just opt for miter joints. If you don’t glue the joints you can use a short screw into the joint to spread it, but it does not look very professional.

Bob