Is it better to make your own canvas, you might wonder? It is up to you, but I don’t doubt that you will try it at some point. Canvas is a pretty strong fabric and originates from flax plants often grown in Ireland or Belgium. Many artists like to make their own frames. So they go out, buy the canvas off the roll, and stretch their own.

It may be that you need a certain size for your work and decide to go ahead and make your own. So for this, you will need a few basic items, which I will go on to explain. Although now there are so many ready made ones available in an assortment of shops, it is not really necessary to have to make your own.

Firstly, you need to buy some canvas by the metre, don’t skimp on this. Of course you need the wood pieces that make up your stretcher, by slotting together. On top of this, you will need a small paintbrush, the sort that you use in the home, acrylic gesso, a hammer, scissors, plus a staple gun, wedges and staples.

The easy part is when you first slot the stretcher together (four pieces). Then put your canvas across the stretcher, making sure you have at least two inches extra over the sides. You can then cut your canvas. From the centre, on the longest side, staple together the wood to the canvas. Making sure that you have stretched the canvas tight across, you can staple the middle to the other side.

The same happens on the other 2 sides. What I do then, is to begin stapling one at a time, alternately one side, then the other across the frame from the centre staple. Face your frame face downwards working in the same style on the back of the canvas.

You can staple the sides, and / or, the back, this way. It seems to be a matter of personal choice. Flatten the corners down and staple well. Now take the hammer.

Wedges need to be fixed by tapping in place the four corners with the hammer. Take your acrylic gesso and apply in turn two coats. Wait for the first coat to dry though.

Now, if you want to use the ready made canvasses, what should you be looking for? These are usually made of cotton duck or linen, but sometimes they also have synthetics in them. There is often a good assortment of sizes, but it is better to consider what type of texture you need.

Some are very tightly woven, so in turn, are ideal for painting in fine detail. With others there is quite a rough woven surface. This can be seen through your painting, which can add to the effect you are wanting to achieve.

Most of the ready made boards may already come primed with acrylic. These can be used for oils or acrylics. Oil based primed ones should only be used for oils, as if used for acrylics, the paint will flake.