I just uploaded a new video to YouTube on making a canvas, specifically a gallery wrap canvas. This is the first video I made, but it’s just the middle part of the process that I shot for a complete painting. I’m going to try to get to a video on the building of the frame which is easy and cheap if you do it yourself, then the whole process of priming it and then, maybe, painting the whole picture. For small canvases I recommend going to the local art store and buying one, but for the larger ones, you can definitely save money making them yourselves, assuming you have the tools.
If you have the need to order any art supplies, I use Blick Art Materials and there’s pretty much always a promo going on with them.
If you’ve found this video helpful or have any questions, I’d love to hear from you!
Thanks,
Ed
6 replies on “How to Make Your Own Canvas”
Great video. I’ll second that request for a video on making the frame. The way you broke each step down with great narration is extrememly helpful. Thank you!
Thanks for the note Gregg. I have a couple of frames to make, so I’ll work on doing a post about it.
Hey Gregg, I just uploaded a video on how to make the frame that you can see at https://youtu.be/XNzStJ3R6_U. I’ve been meaning to do that for a while. Let me know if it’s helpful or if you have any questions that didn’t get answered in the video.
Hi Elizabeth, I finally got around to shooting a video on making the frame for the gallery wrap canvas. You can see it on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/XNzStJ3R6_U.
Thanks,
Ed
Hello,
This was extremely helpful in knowing how to wrap. Could you possibly make a video or even just a post of how to make the frames with stretcher bars for gallery wraps? I am going to have a 48″x72″ canvas and I need to make the frame myself but I am not sure how to do so. If you can give me any information that would be great. I hope to hear from you.
Thank you!
Elizabeth Burridge
Hi Elizabeth,
Thanks for the comment! I will try to make a video on that. I actually have a longer video that I shot, but I’m going to have to dig around and find it. You can find stretcher bars at some of the big box stores, but they are pretty easy to make yourself out of 1×2 stock lumber (cheap at Home Depot or Lowes) if you have basic, rudimentary woodworking skills. Actually, you can make the frames out of any wood, I just think the 1x2s are convenient. If you have access to a power miter saw, that’s great, if not and you’re going to make them more than once, you may want to look at the hardware store for a handsaw and miter box. You can cut the stretchers to size at 45° angles and use wood glue and a staple gun to put them together. Clamps are helpful but not necessary. For larger frames (like yours), I recommend cutting some braces like you can see in the video on my frame and using them in the corners. That will give your frame added stability.
Thanks,
Ed