Canvas Kits!

    Canvas Kits, by Fredrix, are an innovative idea for the at home artist! These DIY kits are perfect for easy transportation as well as more cost efficient. Here at KeenArt Media, we offer the kits in multiple sizes. The kits come in long, narrow compact boxes to avoid high shipping costs as well as the risk of damage. Large stretched canvases can be riskier to receive due to the volume of fragile space that could be damaged but canvas kits completely avoid that issue by shipping the contents unassembled. With easy to follow instructions, the canvas kits can be assembled as quickly as in under 20 minutes! These kits are perfect for artists who love to paint on a large scale as well as look for an affordable option!

These Canvas Kits include many items in order to create your very own stretched canvas! Within these kits are four gallery wrap 1 ⅜ profile stretcher bars, an archival canvas, corner and cross braces, a clever lever, assembly screws, and a step by step instruction. All the materials are made by Fredrix Red Label which provides a double primed, acid-free acrylic titanium gesso duck canvas as well as kiln dried stretcher bars for high quality professional results. The Clever Lever, created by Fredrix, eliminates the need for pliers and stretches the canvas extra taut. We offer multiple large sizes for Canvas Kits that way you will be sure to find the perfect fit for yourself.

 

Sizes:

• 36 x 48

• 36 x 60

• 36 x 72

• 40 x 40

• 40 x 60

• 48 x 48

• 48 x 60

• 48 x 72

• 60 x 60

• 60 x 72

• 60 x 84

Canvas Kits are best for large scale artworks as they come compact thus creating a more affordable shipping fee as well as being less likely to experience any damage when transported. The canvas is a versatile material that can be used for multiple mediums such as acrylics, oils, water soluble oils, paint markers, permanent markers, spray paints, and alkyds. 

How To Assemble:

1. Begin by rolling out the canvas.

2. Then lay the canvas face down with the pre-attached stretcher bar placed closest to you.

3. Assemble the stretcher bars using the tongue and groove corners to slide them together. 

4. Install the corner braces as these assure a tight 90 degree angle for perfect corners.

5. Then attach the cross braces for added support.

6. Begin stretching the canvas on the opposite side of the pre-attached stretcher bar.

7. Stretch by placing the lever in the top groove of the stretcher bar and folding the canvas over the lever and tilt the lever at a 90 degree position.

8. Place the wood clip over the center of the folded canvas, then place the other two clips on the outer sides of the folded canvas.

9. Gently push down on the lever creating tension on the canvas. 

10.  Then staple canvas.

11. Repeat on each side of the canvas.

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To purchase visit: Canvas Kits - USA Art Supplies, Fine Art Materials & Picture Frames For The Visual Arts (usaoncanvas.com)

For more information: RED LABEL GALLERY KIT, 12oz Acrylic Primed Cotton Canvas – Fredrix Artist Canvas

Step by Step Assembly: How to Instruction for Fredrix Stretch It Yourself Kit

 

Aluminum Stretcher Bars

A new product is on the rise here at KeenArt Media and this article will help break down how it works as well as all its pros and cons. An Aluminum Stretcher Bar made by the Jack Richeson Group is the next best thing to come to stretcher bars. While it may look very similar to a regular stretcher bar, it does have its differences and perks. 

The new Aluminum Stretcher Bars are created out of kiln dried Pine and recycled Aluminum. The pine wood frame sits on the outside of the aluminum frame, and creates a classic smooth rounded edge as well as provides a solid surface for stapling a canvas onto. The added metal frame on the inside guarantees a heavy-duty, strong, stable structure which is perfect for large canvases. When the canvas is attached, it will sit ½” away from the bars, preventing the appearance of ghost lines. Together these two frames create both a perfect 90 degree angle and a straight edge. The Aluminum Stretcher Bars come in three main styles; Gallery Wrap Bars, Heavy Duty Bars, and Pro Bars. Both the Pro bars and Heavy Duty bars can come as short as 11” and up to as large as 144” whereas the Gallery Wrap bars only come as large as 120”.

The benefit of using aluminum stretcher bars over regular wood stretcher bars is that the metal will hold the wood in place for centuries. As time goes on, the metal will never warp, twist, or bend guaranteeing a long lasting pristine conditioned frame unlike a regular wood stretcher bar. Combining both the metal and wood frames only elevates the stretcher bar as it doesn't lose the traditional manner of assembly and production, but instead adds more stability and extends the artwork's lifetime. As well, these frames are keyable meaning additional support can be added using Key Corner Supports. These keys attach to the inner corners of a canvas and are able to re-stretch a canvas if required. This is done by expanding the corners of the canvas, ultimately tightening a possibly loose canvas. As well, this can be reversed to relax the canvas back to its original tensions if need be.

Pros	Cons
Longer lifespan Stronger/Sturdier Keyable Many length options Straight edge No ghost lines	Greater shipping expense Less profile options

  Although the aluminum stretcher bars have a long list of benefits, there are some other things to consider. Since the materials used are greater, this can lead to a greater sum in price. While the bars are more likely to last and benefit you in the long run, it is worth noting that it may be a bit of an investment compared to regular wood frames. Aside from pricing, the bars may have a wide variety of lengths however there is not a wide variety of profiles to choose from. The aluminum bar has a set profile of a 1 inch depth whereas the wood frames do vary depending on style. The Pro Bars have a wood frame depth of 1 ⅜, the Heavy Duty bars have a wood frame depth of 1 ⅜, and the Gallery Wrap bars have a wood frame depth of 2 ¼. There are no other options for the different styles. In contrast, the wood stretcher bars already offered at KeenArt Media come in a variety of profile depths such as 7/16, ⅝, ¾, ½, 1, 1 ⅛, 1 ¼, 1 ½, 1 15/16, 2, 2 ½, and 3 inches. These sizes are available for pre assembled stretcher bar frames as well as unassembled stretcher bars.  

  

How to Assemble:

1. Insert the corners into the channels in an aluminum bar (2 per corner). At this point assemble 3 of the bars.	2. Once the 3 are assembled, put the remaining corners in the remaining bar. Align the corners with slots and insert.	3. Attach the Best Keys with screws using the pre drilled holes.
4. Cross braces are recommended for any bar 36” or longer. If the vertical and horizontal cross braces were ordered, they will come notched at the intersection for a flush fit.	5. Attach the notched braces in the center using a flat head screw (not included). Single cross braces will simply attach to the bar frame using screws.	6. The cross braces are attached to the stretcher bar using the Best Cross Brace Bracket. Drill a pilot hole in the stretcher bar with a 3/32” drill bit, then attach the cross brace bracket and cross brace as shown.

For more information: Aluminum Stretcher Bars 

Jack Richeson Group: Jack Richeson Group - Aluminum Bars

Art Supplies—Wood Panels, Canvases, Resin and more

Shopping for art supplies may seem intimidating and confusing at the start. After all, there are many types of tools and options to consider and you only have so much time to decide. We are here to help you get the materials you will need to start your fine art career or hobby. This post outlines the art supplies we offer and provides tips on how you can use them. 

Wood Panels

 

Our ready made cradled panels are constructed with a Baltic Birch wood surface and a smooth solid Poplar wood cradle. These are perfect for a wide range of art projects, most especially when media such as acrylic and oil paints are used. You will need to sand and prime the panels with primer, sealer or gesso first before painting over them. Priming will ensure that the wood does not absorb the paint or corrode and chip off after a long period of time.

For rectangular panels, we offer stocked sizes in standard depths of 15/16" and 1-5/8", from 4x4 inches all the way to 60x40 inches. We also carry standard sizes for round, triangular, and edged types.

Wood panels with edge

Open Call for Mural Artists!

Friendly Giants on Silo on Granville Island

From my travels from city to city, I have yet to happen across one that is as visually eclectic and colorful as Vancouver. I don't just mean the lush forests or the breathtaking mountains or the endless coast; but the splashes of illustrations on public building walls both old and new. No matter where you've traveled in this city, no doubt you would have come across them at some point - murals.

If you haven't been yet, Vancouver also hosts a Mural Festival every year, which is amazing! For artists who are interested in participating, they have already opened their call for 2017 right here: http://www.vancouvermuralfestival.com/

What are some of your guys' favourite murals from Vancouver? Let us know!

VancouverOnCanvas is a local printing, framing, fine arts and reproduction company. We also supply artist materials such as custom canvases, primed and unprimed, as well as stretcher bars, wood panels, etc. Check out our supply section today!

KeenArt Media Ltd. 604-421-8000 (KeenART)
www.VancouverOnCanvas.com
8:30 AM to 5:00 PM Monday to Thursday
8:30 AM to 4:00 PM Friday