How to do Stuff
Creativity comes in all degrees and flavors.
The very essence of the process is controlling the medium.
I think most artists are do-it-yourselfers. This attitude may stem from too much imagination and a lack of funds, or it may be because they need or want something not attainable by any other method. I suffer from both maladies and as a result have developed my own ways of getting results. This page is about different aspects of creating my art.
I decided to build and stretch my own canvas frames for two reasons: I could control the exact size and format, and I could make much better quality frames than I could buy.
Artists who invest a lot of time in their paintings will benefit by making their own canvas frames. You can produce superior quality frames of nearly any size and format with only moderate woodworking skills and common materials.
A good coating of homemade gesso can make a big difference in your painting experience. It binds the underlying canvas fibers together, resulting in a protective barrier that prevents the pigments from spreading and soaking into the fabric. It stiffens the surface, helping to achieve a drum-tight result. Further, you can produce unique surface textures as well as an ultra-smooth finish depending on your preference.
Applying Gesso