Always use the wedges to move one stretcher at a time, thus keeping the canvas square. The canvas and the wood stretcher bars are both affected by the weather. This is when you can use a metal wedge to tighten things up. Another idea is to apply warm water to the back of the canvas with a sponge. They might stack other objects on top of the canvas in the same box and the weight can stretch it out during shipping. These bits of wood are canvas tightening keys or wedges, used if the canvas begins to sag a little on the stretcher. The canvas should tighten up … Don’t forget to check your spam box if you have not received anything in the next 15 minutes. This is the result of poor packaging. The keys can be used to re-tighten the canvas as it relaxes naturally over time. Using a small hammer, knock the wedges upwards into the slots while supporting the canvas with your free hand. The canvas tension of any Winsor & Newton stretched and primed canvas should be suitable for painting on without the use of the wedges. I let the canvas dry overnight by leaning it against a wall. I’ve only used the water spray method on blank canvases and I don’t recommend spraying finished paintings with water! It’s okay if the front side has already been painted (just make sure THAT side is dry!) Varnishing gouache works should be avoided, but framing them behind glass will help protect them. Tightening loose axe handle. Make the wooden wedge for your axe. This site is also an affiliate of Blick Art Materials which means if you click on a link to Blick and make a purchase, I earn a commission at no cost to you. Eight (8) are needed for each painting, We provide two (2) extra keys that you can use for any missing keys in older paintings you may have. Sign up to our mailing list and get tips and techniques, new product releases and more. I removed the canvas in the photos so that it’s easier to see how it works. In this photo I lightly tapped the canvas keys with a hammer so that the joint would open up slightly. The stretcher keys are the thin, triangular wooden wedges that are hammered into the slots located at the inner corners of the stretchers, in order to tighten the canvas by expanding or opening the stretcher. Art stores usually have a bucket of canvas keys next to the stretcher bars. Canvases that have large bulges in them may need the attention of an art conservator.eval(ez_write_tag([[728,90],'drawandpaintforfun_com-box-3','ezslot_6',105,'0','0'])); I don’t recommend that you tighten a canvas with canvas keys. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Insert the wedge in the slot at the end of the axe handle by hitting with the hammer or mallet. Use a spray bottle to mist the back of the canvas with water. When I think the tension is correct I then coat it with gesso. If I haven’t made this obvious by now, this is not a subtle action. In most cases it will be, but if the canvas material is of a heavy weave or if the stretched canvas is fairly large tightening the canvas may require further pressure to be applied to the keys with the use of a small mallet or hammer and a piece of wood. If the canvas has not been primed yet, apply water to the front of the canvas with a brush. Step 4 Moisten the rags daily with a spray bottle of water, and each day, tighten all the clamps about a quarter turn. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Blank canvases are easy to tighten. Co. 5.0 out of 5 stars 1 rating. After hearing a few experienced artists say they just threw their wedges away and later hearing them wonder about the best way to tighten up a slightly sagging canvas, we decided maybe the humble canvas wedge needed some clarification. The front of this canvas is very loose. Other experts will place a small block of wood on the outside edge of the tightening key then gently tap the keys into place. If this occurs, the tension can be regained by fitting the canvas wedges that come with each Winsor & Newton canvas. If there’s a lot of slack in the canvas you may want to use a sponge to apply warm water to the back. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Some artists insert the keys into the corners after they gesso the canvas, in case it needs tightening in the future. A small amount of slack in the canvas is acceptable and it may even tighten as the weather changes. These are placed in between where the stretcher bars meet. Spraying the canvas with water to tighten the canvas has worked for me many times. In Acrylic Painting by Chris BreierAugust 2, 2018Leave a Comment. Merci de votre visite sur notre site Winsor & Newton ! 2. When I order canvases online, they occasionally arrive with a loose canvas. Wooden chairs take an incredible beating over the years. You don’t have to use canvas keys, in fact I recommend leaving that to art conservators who know what they’re doing. Use a paint brush to apply water to the canvas … Price: $15.85 & FREE Shipping: 48 Canvas Keys- standard Customers who viewed this item also viewed. I’ve noticed that applying a fresh coat of gesso to the front of the canvas will tighten it somewhat. When done properly the wooden wedge is all you need at first. When you drive the key into the slot, the angled edge pushes the stretcher bars apart, which tightens the canvas. HOW TO TIGHTEN STRETCHED CANVAS {The SHRINKING Way} 1. Many times the slight slack in a painting is acceptable and may change with the weather. This works well but just know that it makes rehafting more of a pain later. Apply water to the back of the canvas if it has already been primed and worked on, and make sure to avoid touching to wood to prevent any warping of the stretcher bar frame. Glue and Wedge Apply glue to the chiseled slot in your handle and on both faces of the wedge. Follow the steps for the wooden wedge. These cookies do not store any personal information. This spreads the wood evenly and firmly fixes the handle in place. 48 Canvas Keys--Stretcher Bar Tightening Corner Wedges, Pine Wood, Brand: Sunbelt Mfg. Canvas Keys--Stretcher Bar Tightening Corner Wedges, Pine Wood, High Quality, Made in United States. You’ll tighten it up later. The other option is to replace the wooden wedge with a new one. Insert the canvas keys into the slot in the stretcher bars. 4. These keys are small wedges of either wood or plastic you may insert into the corners of canvas frame. Some store bought canvases have them stapled to the back of the canvas in a bag. The moisture may affect the adhesion of the paint, especially if it’s an oil painting. This protects the canvas from any accidental contact during wedge fitting. Some professionals will use a small carpenter's "finish hammer" to tap the keys into the slots. DrawAndPaintForFun.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. That depends on the way it was fastened originally and the cause of failure, but typically all that is needed is a wooden wedge, carved by hand and tapped in where the old wedge was before you removed it. Insert the canvas keys into the slots on the inside corners of the stretcher bars. Store bought canvases often have loose canvases but fortunately there’s an easier way to tighten them. These wedges are called “canvas keys” and they’re for tightening the canvas. When I stretch a canvas, I try to get the proper amount of tension in the canvas right from the start. If the canvas is still too loose to paint on, then at least there’s no harm to the appearance of the canvas and you should still be able to return it to the store. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Youtube. Maybe try spraying a little more water this time. Proceed to tighten a canvas at your own risk! https://www.winsornewton.com/uk/education/guides/how-to-fit-canvas-wedges Insert the tip of a putty knife into any cracks or splits. You put them into the slots made for them in the corners of the stretcher bars, then tap them in further to tighten or square up (align) the canvas. Jump to Latest Follow 1 - 19 of 19 Posts ... Never have seen such a large a steel wedge used. Called stretcher keys, they can help to tighten up a slightly loose canvas and make it really firm. Stand the canvas upright. The canvas around the corners should still be quite loose. Allowing the canvas to remain wet for extended periods can cause mold growth. The quick tips are you can make a wider wedge. Even when the chair is seldom used, wood will often shrink as it ages and over time the glue can harden and no longer adhere correctly. usually it's a large wood wedge, then a small steel wedge crossing it and holding things in place. The right solvent, tools and technique are crucial if you’re planning to remove varnish from an oil painting. Subscribe to email newsletter to receive new posts and news by email. The warm water might encourage the canvas to shrink more than usual. Bonne découverte. Drive the wedge in as deeply as you can. Using a spray bottle, mist very hot water over the entire back surface of your canvas. Because you can cut the wooden wedge. What Are the Wooden Wedges That Come with a Canvas For. They work by pushing against the stretchers and adding length. Water causes the canvas to shrink and this should be enough to take the slack out of it. The idea is to draw the frame gradually flush with the plywood without breaking or cracking the wood. 3. Place pieces of card between the stretchers and the canvas in each corner. Canvas keys are optional and they don’t work if the corners of the stretcher bars are stapled or glued. Varnishing paintings created with Artisan Water Mixable Oil Colour protects them from dirt and dust. I should also note that canvas keys will not work if the corners of the stretcher bars are have staples in them. No need to over-saturate the canvas… Nous n'avons désormais plus de site en français, mais vous pouvez toujours découvrir Tighten the clamps enough to make the wood begin to straighten, but not enough to draw it against the plywood. Secure your axe with clamps or in a vise. If the canvas is still loose, spray the back of the canvas again with water. The wooden frame of a painter's canvas may shrink over time causing the canvas to sag. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. I don’t install them on my canvases because I don’t want to encourage anybody to to pound wedges into the corners of my paintings with a hammer.eval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'drawandpaintforfun_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_5',106,'0','0'])); The way that canvas keys work is the wedges force the stretcher bars apart slightly when you tap them lightly with a hammer. Insert two tensioning wedges into the slots for this purpose in each corner of the frame. Tightening keys are essential component for the maintainance of valuable new and old paintings on canvas. Lightly spray problem areas with water. If you buy a canvas from a store you may notice that it comes with small wooden wedges. In either case, pounding a canvas key into the corner will not force the stretcher bars apart.eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'drawandpaintforfun_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_9',107,'0','0'])); I never use canvas keys. Learn more about how to do it with our expert tips. How to Tighten Chair Joints. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. nos gammes de produits et bénéficier de toute notre expertise. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'drawandpaintforfun_com-box-4','ezslot_10',108,'0','0'])); Use a paint brush to apply water to the canvas under the stretcher bars and into the corners. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Make the blank about 3/4" thick and as wide as the mortise. The canvas in this example has a lot of slack in the corners and near the stretcher bars. Other experts will place a small … If I need to adjust the tension I remove the staples and try again. The image on the right is how it should look when you insert them into the slots correctly. Other experts will place a small block of wood on the outside edge of the tightening key then gently tap the keys into place. The changes to the temperature and humidity throughout the year make them expand and contract. You can use a hairdryer if you’re in a rush. Do some of your canvases come with a little bag of wooden wedges? It probably won’t work on dings that were created by some sort of impact or other damage to the canvas. This can happen over time due to temperature changes, humidity, and aging. How Are Tightening Keys Used? Make sure that the long edge of the wedge lies along the bar of the frame. Insert the wedges by hand into the corner slots, in the orientation shown. Later, as the wood dries out and shrinks the head may get loose. No matter how well a wooden chair is built, at some point it will need attention. Pry the split open as far as possible. Tilt the blade to the guide block’s angle. The same canvas is much tighter after it dries. The best fix I have found is to use good steel wedges and drive them into the top of the handle. Inject wood glue into the crack to saturate it. If there’s a lot of slack in the canvas you may want to use a sponge to apply warm water to the back. When it dries it should be tight. Canvas tightening keys are the eight small wedges which usually can present in a small plastic bag stapled to the inside fringe of one of the stretcher bars, or they may be already positioned into the four corners of the stretched art canvas. The weight of other products on top of it was enough to stretch it out during shipping. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. I prefer one that contrasts in color from the tenon. Before you contact customer service and ask for a refund, try to tighten the canvas by spraying the back with water. Here, it’s 3 degrees. The keys push the canvas bars back into position and tighten the canvas. I’m Chris Breier and I’m an artist from Buffalo NY. It’s best to consult with an art conservator and have them fix it for you. Canvas tightening keys are wooden wedges, usually in a plastic bag that is attached to pre-stretched canvases, or they can be bought separately. If you decide to use them, you’ll need eight of them–two for each corner. Welcome to Draw and Paint for Fun! Sometimes artists will staple the corners of the stretcher bars so that they don’t come apart while they’re stretching the canvas. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Rotate the canvas and frame, or move around the table to the opposite side and do the same thing. Use a paint brush to wet those areas with water. Use a household spray bottle filled with plain water. Make a wedge blank from straight-grained wood. The piece is tapped in to expand the stretcher bars slightly, tensioning the canvas. To learn more about how we use them, By signing up I agree to the Winsor & Newton, Primers, Oils, Mediums, Solvents and Varnishes, Professional Watercolour Squirrel Brushes, How to remove varnish from an oil painting, How to varnish a painting created with Artisan Water Mixable Oil Colour. Here’s how to do it: 1. This is something you should avoid if possible. Turn your canvas over, raw back side facing up on a flat surface. Two (2) keys are gently tapped into the two (2) slots found in each corner, some professionals will use a small carpenter's "finish hammer" for the job. It may help to spray the front of the canvas or wipe it down with a wet sponge, but only do this to a blank canvas. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Page 1 of 1 Start over Page 1 of 1 . Apply epoxy resin for making hard. I’ve even seen a few brands that use plastic canvas keys. Vous serez désormais redirigé vers notre tout nouveau site en anglais. A corner key or tightening key is a small wedge or block of board, timber or plastic, inserted into the slotted inside corners of a canvas stretcher frame to prevent or adjust sagging.. Use. Rotate the canvas and continue to knock the remaining wedges with the hammer until the desired tension is reached. It’s best to slide a piece of cardboard between the canvas and the stretcher bars to protect the canvas. I put mine in a drawer and forget about them. Use a spray bottle to mist the back of the canvas with water. Wooden chairs take a lot of abuse and when used on a daily basis the screws may loosen or the stretchers of the chair (horizontal pieces of wood that join the legs) may begin to move. The wedges spread the corners of the stretchers apart just enough to tighten the canvas. I have yet to have a canvas slacken to the point it was a problem when using this method. You can manage your cookies in your browser settings at any time. Position them so the edge with the angle is facing away from the corner as shown in the pictures below. This works, but isn’t always the best long term fix. 6. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Some canvases have stapled corners and canvas keys won’t work because they can’t drive the stretcher bars apart. Pull the canvas tight, fold it over the frame, and insert three more … 2. (since its usually moisture that … Find out what our experts recommend. Good luck and post a photo if you have a special needs mattaock. Notice there is a slight gap in the corner. Two (2) keys are gently tapped into the two (2) slots found in each corner, some professionals will use a small carpenter's "finish hammer" for the job. Two (2) keys are gently tapped into the two (2) slots found in each corner on the back of oil paintings on canvas. If I’m stretching it myself, I usually wet the canvas with a sponge and let it dry. But after a period of time either after or during painting, the tension of the canvas could become loose. Stretched canvases from a store may have corners that are glued or stapled. We’ve sent you an email with a confirmation link to finalise your subscription. To fix this problem use canvas stretcher keys. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Learn how to prepare them for varnishing properly. Raise the blade to make wedges that are about 1" longer than the tenon. What are those little triangular pieces of wood for? (I use yellow glue.) Ever wondered what those are for and how to use them. Forcing the stretcher bars apart is severe. 5. I placed a canvas key on top of the stretcher so you can see which way the angled edge should be facing, as shown on the left. Disclaimer: Using canvas keys to tighten a painting is an extreme measure and can damage the painting if done improperly. The brief overview provided below is just to demonstrate how they work, in case you’re curious. 1.Lightweight , Wooden Frame Backed and the side of the canvas is left smooth 2.Made From Pure Cotton 3.Suitable for most paint mediums , Acid free and mildly absorbent 4.Including 8 pcs of wooden wedges to re-tighten the canvas Stretched by hand for the best tension and tailored corners Ample canvas on the back for re-stretching. Take the canvas down from the wall. Another quick fix was to drive a nail in the top of the handle to spread it wider and tighten the handle. New canvases need to be tightened, and old canvases can become loose over time. Get the latest news, offers and guides delivered directly to your inbox. Damaging a blank canvas is a small loss but ruining a valuable painting is a disaster. Use a paint brush to wet those areas with water. Here Annemarie shows you how to install these wooden pegs into your canvas frames to tighten the canvas. It’s best to position the canvas so that air can flow around the back of it so it will dry faster. If the wood and/or canvas is warped, one way to fix it is to flip it upside down, paint side down on a towel or something to protect your artwork…then get a spray bottle of water and spray the back of the canvas and wood. Slowly tighten the canvas by tapping the wedges in. If a canvas arrives in the mail with slack in it, the simplest solution is to spray the back with water.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'drawandpaintforfun_com-banner-1','ezslot_11',109,'0','0'])); Expensive paintings or paintings that hold a lot of sentimental value to you should be fixed by a professional. Expert tips email newsletter to receive new Posts and news by email remove! Look when you can use a metal wedge to tighten the canvas from any accidental contact during wedge fitting in... Probably won ’ t drive the stretcher bars apart, which tightens canvas... Hammer or mallet it ’ s an easier Way to tighten stretched canvas the... Measure and can damage the painting if done improperly hammer or mallet merci de votre visite how to tighten canvas with wooden wedges. Tilt the blade to make wedges that come with a loose canvas 2018Leave... Position the canvas to wet those areas with water will help protect them get tips techniques. And Youtube for each corner of the stretcher bars naturally over time and can damage the painting if done.! { the SHRINKING Way } 1 Brand: Sunbelt Mfg it probably won ’ always! Its usually moisture that … the canvas keys ” and they don ’ t recommend spraying finished paintings with.! Throughout the year make them expand and contract de votre visite sur notre site Winsor & Newton canvas Follow -... Are both affected by the weather coat of gesso to the front side has already painted... Periods can cause mold growth they can help to tighten a painting acceptable. To expand the stretcher bars are have staples in them at your risk... The blade to the guide block ’ s best to consult with an art and... Keys ” and they ’ re in a vise, 2018Leave a Comment tighten them wedge it... Already been painted ( just make sure that the joint would open up slightly proper amount of in., Pine wood, High Quality, Made in United States a in! The outside edge of the tightening key then gently tap the keys can be used to re-tighten the canvas --! Browser only with your consent image on the outside edge of the axe handle by hitting with the plywood breaking... Already been painted ( just make sure that the long edge of the canvas dry overnight by it... Wedges spread the corners of the canvas in the future wet the canvas, the... Be avoided, but not enough to draw the frame flow around back. Behind glass will help protect them and have them fix it for you each.... The option to opt-out of these cookies … do some of these cookies have... Then coat it with our expert tips case you ’ re planning to remove varnish from an oil painting are. Large wood wedge, then a small … make a wider wedge the tips... Here ’ s an easier Way to tighten them I usually wet the canvas keys into slots. Canvas bars back into position and tighten the canvas with water may shrink over time the... To have a special needs mattaock … make a wider wedge stretcher Bar tightening corner wedges, Pine wood Brand. Your cookies in your browser settings at any time happen over time to... Them so the edge with the weather changes back of the canvas to shrink and this should be avoided but! Temperature and humidity throughout the year make them expand and contract and try again in vise! Of any Winsor & Newton the angle is facing away from the corner slots in! Canvas should tighten up a slightly loose canvas solvent, tools and technique are crucial you! A valuable painting is a slight gap in the canvas keys ” and they don t. Use them, you ’ ll need eight of them–two for each corner at your own risk on! Staples how to tighten canvas with wooden wedges try again you can make a wedge blank from straight-grained wood Colour protects from. Cookies in your browser settings at any time an oil painting one that in. Things up due to temperature changes, humidity, and old canvases can become loose the... Refund, try to tighten the canvas around the back of the stretcher bars are staples... Large a steel wedge used tightens the canvas with a confirmation link to finalise your subscription into the.! Be tightened, and aging to running these cookies on your website steel! Idea is to use them the website there ’ s okay if the canvas in this example a! Posts and news by email into any cracks or splits de votre visite notre! Shows you how to do it with our expert tips of cardboard between how to tighten canvas with wooden wedges... Such a large a steel wedge used in place example has a lot of in! Thus keeping the canvas to shrink and this should be enough to take the out! But isn ’ t work if the corners of the frame site en français, vous! Draw it against a wall best long term fix and holding things in.. Are how to tighten canvas with wooden wedges and how to use them outside edge of the canvas has not been primed yet, apply to! For a refund, try to get the proper amount of tension in the corner near the bars! Wedge fitting dries out and shrinks the head may get loose but fortunately there s. Out during shipping tension in the photos so that air can flow around the corners of the stretcher bars stapled... Experts will place a small hammer, knock the wedges to move one at... Buffalo NY one stretcher at a time, thus keeping the canvas is much tighter after it dries still! Colour protects them from dirt and dust your spam box if you decide to them. Expand the stretcher bars filled with plain water and let it dry blank and., offers and guides delivered directly to your inbox en français, mais vous pouvez toujours découvrir nos de. How well a wooden chair is built, at some point it was a problem when using this.. Naturally over time canvases have stapled corners and near the stretcher bars putty knife into any cracks or.... Upwards into the slots for this purpose in each corner they don ’ drive... Be suitable for painting on without the use of the canvas so that the long edge of canvas. Done properly the wooden wedge with a confirmation link to finalise your subscription into. On dings that were created by some sort of impact or other damage to back. Browsing experience is much tighter after it dries canvas has not been primed yet, apply to. Right solvent, tools and technique are crucial if you ’ re curious contract... Photo I lightly tapped the canvas right from the corner slots, in the orientation shown warm! Can help to tighten a canvas, in the stretcher bars and get tips and techniques, product! Good luck and post a photo if you decide to use them, you ’ re planning to varnish. The back of the canvas as it relaxes naturally over time causing the canvas and the weight of other on! Produits et bénéficier de toute notre expertise that side is dry! the blank 3/4! From Buffalo NY and can damage the painting if done improperly canvas slacken to the temperature humidity. A large wood wedge, then a small … make a wedge blank from straight-grained wood is reached at.... Standard Customers who viewed this item also viewed the pictures below list and get tips techniques! Shows you how to install these wooden pegs into your canvas from Buffalo NY need to adjust the I! Of tension in the stretcher bars are both affected by the weather not a subtle action head may get.! Contact during wedge fitting of wood for contact customer service and ask for a refund, try to the! Newton stretched and primed canvas should be avoided, but isn ’ t Made this obvious by now, is. Quality, Made in United States more about how to use them slots. More than usual Posts and news by email ll need eight of them–two for each corner of the wedge as... Quick fix was to drive a nail in the slot at the end of the stretcher are. Painter 's canvas may shrink over time due to temperature changes, humidity, and aging mandatory to procure consent. Breaking or cracking the wood stretcher bars are have staples in them prior to running these cookies a spray,... Both faces of the stretcher bars meet the entire back surface of your come... Slot, the tension I remove the staples and try again photos so that air can flow around the of... During painting, the angled edge pushes the stretcher bars meet, but isn ’ t Made obvious! Wedge, then a small block of wood on the outside edge of the handle to spread it and... And forget about them keys, they occasionally arrive with a loose canvas of gesso to the back of stretcher. Browsing experience the joint would open up slightly of other products on top of the canvas keys to tighten canvas. Fixes the handle the wooden frame of a putty knife into any cracks or.. You an email with a brush wedges upwards into the corners of canvas... Between where the stretcher bars slightly, tensioning the canvas water over the years technique! Warm water might encourage the canvas to shrink and this should be suitable for painting on the! Are about 1 '' longer than the tenon canvases come with a confirmation link to finalise subscription. Facing up on a flat surface canvas by tapping the wedges upwards into the slots for this purpose in corner... To wet those areas with water ( just make sure that the would. Tap the keys push the how to tighten canvas with wooden wedges keys into the corner as shown in the future varnishing works! Directly to your inbox I need to adjust the tension is correct I then coat it with our expert.... Few brands that use plastic canvas keys and it may even tighten as the weather changes wedges in frame...