Thanks. Yes, they are masonite panels. They are small and should be jewel-like so painting both sides is important. The surfaces also have to be sealed.
You make it sound almost easy, Harry. After making a few, it probably isn't all that difficult. I haven't used the quarter round, but it sounds like a really good idea. I made some fairly good stretched canvases, but it's been awhile and I don't remember exactly how I did it, or with what tools. Recently I've use canvased from Michael's. they probably are crap.
This is a fine demonstration, Harry. You guide the observer (me) through each step so calmly and thoroughly. I also prepared my canvases and masonite panels. I have made my own stretchers bars, but didn't stick with it. With canvas I gessoed and sanded between applications. Usually, I'd wait for a hot day and attempt to get 6 or 9 canvases prepared. I've never used Gac, but a bottle of it sits on a shelf in the studio probably wondering why it's been ignored. Sometimes I get anthropomorphic about objects -- the supplies and pieces of work -- one of those weird little artist's rituals. Thank you.
I wish I'd had more studio teachers like you. I had one who insisted we stretch our own canvases. He had us make a few frames. I might have made one or two which were adequate, but was no framer. Never was there a class on materials. This would have been so useful. I wanted to know how to attach different materials together. Which adhesive is used to affix metal to wood, for instance, metal to metal à la Chamberlain and his piles of smashed cars. We learn by doing, but a good teacher really helps. You were, and are, a good teacher.
The problem with painting is that you need a good support, otherwise the painting looks like shit no matter what you do. So paper is a good support, cut panels, either cradled or flat, are good supports. And stretched canvases are good supports....but a canvas on a poorly made stretcher will always look like crap, and worse, you won't be inspired to do a good job if you're working on a poor support. The simplest way to make good stretchers is to use kiln dried 1" x 2" and quarter round glued and then nailed on. Then miter your lengths. Then cut triangles out of quarter inch plywood to brace your corners...front and back if it's for a larger stretcher. Use a square to insure that each corner is square before you put your triangle corner braces in. If the stretcher is bigger than 18 x 24....you should also use 1 x 2 inch cross braces both ways, and I simply cut out parts with a saw and chisel to make them flush and neat. This is a great way for beginners to make stretchers also because only one simple electric tool is needed...a miter saw, and they are easy to use and safe. A person could even use a hand held wooden miter box for this and a hand saw, if an electric miter saw was not available. This method of making stretchers can be taught to a total beginner in a couple of hours....and the person can be making perfectly good stretchers in no time. I've taught people to do this.....the essential skills are easy to master.
I think it’s great you enjoy making these little gems available to all - affordable art is important to community.❤️
Thank you! :)
are all the paintings you do that i see here, painted on your little squares?
Yes, the art you see in this piece are on small squares, 2.75 x 2.75 inches.
Are the panels Masonite or some other hardboard? And why prep both sides?
Really appreciate your work!
Thanks. Yes, they are masonite panels. They are small and should be jewel-like so painting both sides is important. The surfaces also have to be sealed.
You make it sound almost easy, Harry. After making a few, it probably isn't all that difficult. I haven't used the quarter round, but it sounds like a really good idea. I made some fairly good stretched canvases, but it's been awhile and I don't remember exactly how I did it, or with what tools. Recently I've use canvased from Michael's. they probably are crap.
Yep, it's true, after you make a few they all work out great! It takes a little work but it sure is worth it.
This is a fine demonstration, Harry. You guide the observer (me) through each step so calmly and thoroughly. I also prepared my canvases and masonite panels. I have made my own stretchers bars, but didn't stick with it. With canvas I gessoed and sanded between applications. Usually, I'd wait for a hot day and attempt to get 6 or 9 canvases prepared. I've never used Gac, but a bottle of it sits on a shelf in the studio probably wondering why it's been ignored. Sometimes I get anthropomorphic about objects -- the supplies and pieces of work -- one of those weird little artist's rituals. Thank you.
Thanks, Shirley! :)
I wish I'd had more studio teachers like you. I had one who insisted we stretch our own canvases. He had us make a few frames. I might have made one or two which were adequate, but was no framer. Never was there a class on materials. This would have been so useful. I wanted to know how to attach different materials together. Which adhesive is used to affix metal to wood, for instance, metal to metal à la Chamberlain and his piles of smashed cars. We learn by doing, but a good teacher really helps. You were, and are, a good teacher.
The problem with painting is that you need a good support, otherwise the painting looks like shit no matter what you do. So paper is a good support, cut panels, either cradled or flat, are good supports. And stretched canvases are good supports....but a canvas on a poorly made stretcher will always look like crap, and worse, you won't be inspired to do a good job if you're working on a poor support. The simplest way to make good stretchers is to use kiln dried 1" x 2" and quarter round glued and then nailed on. Then miter your lengths. Then cut triangles out of quarter inch plywood to brace your corners...front and back if it's for a larger stretcher. Use a square to insure that each corner is square before you put your triangle corner braces in. If the stretcher is bigger than 18 x 24....you should also use 1 x 2 inch cross braces both ways, and I simply cut out parts with a saw and chisel to make them flush and neat. This is a great way for beginners to make stretchers also because only one simple electric tool is needed...a miter saw, and they are easy to use and safe. A person could even use a hand held wooden miter box for this and a hand saw, if an electric miter saw was not available. This method of making stretchers can be taught to a total beginner in a couple of hours....and the person can be making perfectly good stretchers in no time. I've taught people to do this.....the essential skills are easy to master.