In the art world, we often talk about “stretching a canvas” but not all canvas supports are created equal. Two structures commonly used to support paintings on canvas are stretchers and strainers. They may look similar, but they behave differently, and that distinction has real consequences for the long-term maintenance of an artwork. 1. Stretchers: Built to Adjust A stretcher is an expandable support system. Its defining feature is the ability to adjust the tension of the canvas by expanding...

DRY vs. CURED vs. AGED When is an oil painting really dry enough to roll? How old does a painting have to be to be considered aged? What does “dry” actually mean? If an oil painting can continue drying and changing for months or years, how can an artist make a practical decision about whether a painting is ready or too old to roll? These were some of the questions that came up in response to my post on How to Roll an Oil Painting for Transport, which motivated me to write this follow-up...

Every bespoke manufacurer eventually encounters the same scenario: a custom-built canvas stretcher tests perfectly square and flat on a precision workbench, yet lifts away from the wall at one corner when hung in an artist’s studio. Even when a spirit level confirms the wall is plumb, the immediate assumption is often that the timber has warped.