How to Stretch a canvas

It's no secret, artists are broke. That's why they're referred to as "starving artists". One day these artists will achieve unimaginable success, but for most of their lives, they'll be struggling to survive… struggling to keep their vision alive. That's why they need to work cheap. And that's why they stretch their own canvases, not buy pre-made ones or have the hobby shop do it. If you're a starving artist, save a few bucks, hone your carpentry skills, and stretch your own canvas.

Fact: The famed Austrian painter Friedensreich Hundertwasser almost always stretched his own canvas.

You Will Need

* 1x2-in. lengths of wood long enough to form the perimeter of your canvas

* 1/4-round lengths of trim

* 1/2 to 5/8-in. carpentry staples

* A staple gun

* Wood glue

* Finish nails

* A hammer

* A miter saw or box saw

* Raw canvas

* Medium grit sandpaper

* A carpenter's square

* A damp rag

* Scissors or a craft knife

* A large, wide, and flat work surface, like a clean floor

Step 1: Pick a size

Step 2: Cut wood to size

Step 3: Cut trim to size

Step 4: Sand pieces

Step 5: Join two pieces

Step 6: Mop excess glue

Step 7: Repeat for all corners

Step 8: Fasten joints with staples

Step 9: Glue trim to canvas

Step 10: Nail trim to stretcher bars

Step 11: Push nails below surface

Step 12: Set aside to dry

Step 13: Set canvas face down

Step 14: Put stretcher bars on top

Step 15: Pull canvas up

Step 16: Repeat on each side and corner

Step 17: Repeat above staple

Step 18: Pull material on corner to side

Step 19: Fold material down back

Step 20: Fasten material

Step 21: Repeat for corners

Step 22: Cut excess canvas