I have done it in the past, but the older I get, the harder it is to pull canvas evenly (particularly over large areas) so I just get store bought anymore. I can get fabric choices (e.g., linen) these days, so it is worth the ease of ready-made. I used to use store-bought gesso to prep my hand stretched canvases.

@Kayak8 -That is what I have always done.I just wondered if there was any real benefit?

It does seem like a pain in the neck XD

@noelleptc -LOL!
Why not just call it a sculptural piece that has suffered alittle vandalism?
Very edgy ;)

I have never tried it. It intimidates me. Perhaps because, although I love to paint, it is really not one of my greatest strengths. I’ve always found it tempting, but I just haven’t gotten around to it.

I use store bought gesso. (any attempt at cooking usually renders very bad results and creating my own is like cooking)

The bonuses for me in stretching my own is reduced storage space needed. I also loved one particular brand of Belgian portrait grade linen. I love that linen.

As I shifted my work toward licensing I found it better to paint on museum grade board. It photographs without the texture making the images pretty much send ready.

A rather insansely talented friend artist friend benefitted last year when I gave him my stretching bars and remaining linen.

@Dog-Lovely painting! :)
The cooking aspect turns me completely off. XD
I might try stretching my own one day and yep,I like painting on board as well.

I have zero talent when it comes to art, so I don’t even try anymore. I am a heck of a good cook. So there.

I say we vote @Adirondackwannabe the art colony chef….

I paint, but I have never stretched my own canvases. I wouldn’t know how to do it properly.

@Adirondackwannabe – Make me some gesso!
Poof! You’re some gesso! XD

@lucillelucillelucille Great idea! After that we need him to make some fresh fruit and a lovely sangria…

I think I hijacked your thread. Back to canvas?

What’s your gesso recipe? I’ll give it a shot.

(Should I move us to social before the other mods wake up?)

I don’t think so. I’ll behave if lucille will. :)

This means I must behave too. Okay. I will be good. ;)

When I did stretch my canvases I preferred the copper head nails. They were classy looking.

I to like the look of the nails. It adds a nice touch.

@Adirondackwannabe -No recipe…@Dog-You can move the Q if you want.:)
@Adirondackwannabe is going to stretch all my canvas and make me gesso! Yay! XD

@lucillelucillelucille As long as you don’t make me do all those little nails. Is gesso one chemical or a mix? never worked with it.

Awesome!!!!

Hey what is on your easel right now?

I have an oil started of a cat and mechanical mouse. (yeah I moved us)

@Dog—Strange! I am starting one of a cat too.:)
A photographer friend supplied the reference and I will do the rest.

@Adirondackwannabe -“Here”: is an example of a gesso recipe…

@noelleptc—XD

@Adirondackwannabe—Oh no,wait!!.....It’s over HERE

@Adirondackwannabe This
is much better though.

@Adirondackwannabe But not this
Vile meatcake!! XD

(At least it does not contain rabbit glue. My Studio rabbits would never forgive me.)

Meatloaf! Is that the plan for dinner? What kind of wine goes with meatloaf?

@Dog F@ck no! I hate meatcake XD

Whine goes with meatcake.

I step out for a few and now we’re working with meatcake? By the way, I’ll stretch your canvas anytime you ask.

@lucillelucillelucille thank god…meatcake sucks the creativity out of the soul.

@Dog – XD Yes,it does suck!

Sounds like we need our own colony . . . maybe we could rent a bunch of cabins somewhere for a week and be the Fluther Art Colony Extraordinare (FACE)!

^^^^ Yes! I am so up for that.
(sketched out cat, loaded palette, going to turn off the internet….)

@lucillelucillelucille _How is you cat going? I am almost done with mine but decided to add more still- life objects.

@Dog-I am done!

@lucillelucillelucille Awesome! What is next? I am painting weenies hoping to interest a company in making figurines. (Also the weenies are fun and sell fast. I am broke.) :)

@Dog I am starting one of a “Rat-Rod” today. I hope to finish sometime this century! How far along did you get? :)

@lucillelucillelucille Heh… I am distracted by anything. You name it- shiny things, wild rabbits, chrome wheels, sunny days, my mustang, writing a poem, studying the bumble bees. I might just be on one of those creative breaks. :D