Glossary: canvas

A linen or cotton surface which is stretched over a rectangular or square wooden frame. The stretcher consists of four lengths of wood that have been mitred and joined. The canvas is then stretched over using special tongs and attached on the reverse with picture tacks. This still leaves the canvas with some slack and this is taken out with 8 stretcher pegs, 2 per corner. These are triangular in shape and are hammered into ready prepared slots. The canvas is now ready to be used. The canvas is coated with gesso or primer before the paint is applied. This gives a base on which to apply the paint. This "ground" can be prepared so that the texture show through the painting giving more form to the work. It also helps to adhere the paint over many years. Paint applied directly to a canvas will, invariably lift off after a period of time.