So, you have made the commitment to apaint by numbers kitbut how are you going to frame it and should you do it before or after you complete it? In this article, I will show you how to frame your painting using stretcher bars and also discuss when to do it.
Before getting started, make sure your stretchers have the same size than your canvas. If you're looking for wooden stretchers, you canorder a set here.
WHEN TO USE STRETCHER BARS
There is a lot of discussion on the internet about using stretcher bars before or after you complete your painting. Clearly it can be advantageous to paint on a canvas that is already stretched. If you decide to go for that option, which means to stretch your canvas before painting it, it is perfectly fine.
Another option is to complete your painting without framing it first, and then decide how you want to frame it. In that case, you'd be best to lay your canvas on a solid structure and tape the side of your painting, that way your canvas won't move. Once, you've finished your painting, you will be considering where you are going to hang it and that may affect your decision. If at this point, you decide to use stretcher bars, it will work perfectly well. You can find how by reading this article.
Note
I have not used canvas stretcher pliers in this article as not everybody has them but they can be useful in getting your canvas very tight. You can also use canvas wedges to push the corners of your stretcher bars out slightly to increase the tension in your canvas. You simply tap them in. In this case, I have simply used the stretcher bars and nothing else and the result is fantastic. You do not need to be an expert or have lots of specialist equipment.
Some thumbtacks, pins or staples (with a staple gun in this scenario),
A tape measure or T square.
Step 1
Get your stretcher bars and lay them out. Check if they have a small ridge running around the edge on both sides of the frame or just one. If it is only on one side it is vital that you build your frame with this ridge on the same side on all the pieces.
On this picture, you can see the ridge along the outside on both pieces as they are assembled. This ridge holds the canvas away from the frame preventing it from showing through your painting.
Step 2
Assemble your pieces of stretcher bar very carefully. They should fit together very tightly so they may be difficult to assemble. If you have any difficulties gently sand a little wood away.
Be careful not to take too much off as they must fit tightly together.
Step 3
Place your canvas face down on a suitable flat surface. I used my dining table covered with a tablecloth to protect the canvas.
Place your frame face down onto the canvas. CHECK that the side with the ridge is face down against the canvas. Position it exactly on the painting so that the painting will be in the correct position on the frame.
Check that your frame is ‘square’. By that I mean check that all your corners are 90°. I used a T square but you can also measure from one corner to the opposite diagonal one and repeat for the other two corners.
Both measurements should be the same. Adjust your frame until it is ‘square’.
Step 4
After double-checking that you are happy with everything it is time to pin or staple your canvas in place. Fold the canvas around the frame on one side and start pinning the thumbtacks or staple it in place. This thumbtack, pin or staple should be in the center of the side you are pinning/stapling.
Now repeat this process exactly opposite the first pin/staple making sure that you pull the canvas taut as you do it. This is how you will stretch the canvas into place. Repeat for the other two sides so that you have a total of four thumbtacks/staples in place.
Now check that the frame is still square and check that the painting is in the correct place.If there are any problems you can remove a pin/stapleor indeed all four and correct it quite easily.
Once you are happy continue pulling the canvas taut and pinning/stapling it in place working steadily around all four sides in turn so that you work from the center of each side towards the corners. Stop approximately 2” from each corner. Check again that you are happy with your painting.
Step 6
This is the most difficult bit! Pinch a section of the corner of the canvas and pull it tight.
Place it over the frame at an angle of 45°.
Now fold the remainder of the corner over the frame so that the folded edge lines up with the corner of the frame.
Staple/pin it in place and staple/pin the rest of the canvas near that corner remembering to pull it tight.
Repeat the process for all four corners.
Well done! You have framed your picture using stretcher bars. Now hang it in pride of place in your home and enjoy it!
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Totally addictive, loved doing this photograph of my dog, it looks fabulous on my wall and everyone comments on it. Will definitely be ordering more as it is the most relaxing thing I have done. Fantastic.
Very good quality. I have to say I didn't expect it to take so long to complete because the sections are very small, but the final result is wonderful and the people in the photo look remarkably alike. It has a wide variety of colors, and the skin tones look very natural. It also comes with a generous amount of each paint color, with more than enough included to finish the painting.
I love the idea of choosing my own pictures to paint by numbers, and I really like that the canvas comes with paint, brushes, and guides. I noticed on the canvas, there were a few duplicates of numbers beside each other, so I either needed to expand the use of one paint color, or select a different number to paint of one of the repeated numbers.
My Custom Paint By Numbers kit IS AMAZING! The 28 color kit has VERY DETAILED numbered areas to paint with some of the areas on the canvas so small that you think you need a brush with ONE hair. But, with such small areas comes wonderful detail that I’m sure my final work will have! I highly recommend this paint by numbers kit to memorialize any happy memory!
Loving my newest PBN project. We’ve had freezing and below zero temps up here in Michigan for two weeks so I was especially grateful to have this to secure my focus!
As before, I had to trust that all would work out. Sitting so close, even sometimes with a magnifying glass, you find it hard to imagine that this painting will look even barely good … but I finished all the dark colors, stood back and OMG! They did it again!
WOW do they do it?
Not only did I get a full set of the paints that I ordered, but I even got a set of complementary brushes, including two very fine brushes for detail work that I really needed and didn't have from the first set. Excellent and gratefully received.
Two of my most recent paintings. I've enjoyed each project I've completed and have started working on my 6th Paint by Number. The paints, frame and canvas provided are all high quality and the results are now hanging in my home.
This is my first. Enjoyed the fact that I'm painting one of my favorite pictures of my friend. Not yet complete have to work on the black it was a Stiff paint used blending gel which really helped tho see shrinkage I'd like to fix. Friend suggested using Gesso as mat prep. Did not order a frame. Learning. Did order another off a photo. Used the 30+ paints very satisified. Barb
Work still in progress, but nearly there. Colours are good and make the painting more interesting to do.
If you look carefully you will see I modified the colours to the right of pheasants head, felt the brown was to dark and did not show off the pheasant colours.
All who have seen it are impressed with the picture.
Have decided to paint the canvas prior to fixing it to the stretcher as it’s easier to turn round when working on it.
Overall good quality and paints cover well and hide the numbers.
Regards
Keith Davies
Absolutely loved doing this, the quality was great and I will definitely be ordering again!
Only downside I would say is that part of the picture I uploaded was cut off.. I assumed the photo would be sized to the canvas.
This is my second Paint by Number project.
I decided to paint a photograph I had taken and after finishing 3/4 of the painting, I am definitely hooked on this activity.
It'e been so enjoyable and relaxing I am in the process of deciding which photo to paint next.
I prefer submitting my own photos vs. painting something preset. It's very satisfying once the project is finished and for this one I can't wait to hang it on my wall.
This was my first time trying a Paint by Number project after a few times painting at a local Paint and Sip facility.
I might have chosen a photo with too much detail as a first project and painting people/faces is definitely a challenge.
Overall I think it turned out well. The brushes and paint provided worked well.
The biggest challenge was painting areas connected by narrow sections and making sure I was still using the right number/color in that section. It would be nice if the number could be repeated but guessing that might cause different confusion.
Will definitely be trying this again. I found it very relaxing, especially this time of year with holiday music in the background.
Really good brushes and quality paint. The instructions were missing so I just dove in and started painting. It was fun and the result was nice. The colors weren’t perfect but I was happy with the final canvas.
Having completed one of my three daughters, which was a Christmas present from my wife, I wanted to do a second one. It is a very relaxing activity and creates a feeling of self-satisfaction. Already planning a third!
Easy to order. Good turn around time. Very happy with the amount of paint and brushes included. I am a little disappointed in the actual paint colors. They do not quite match the colors in the photo provided. They are off from the original photo uploaded.
Wow!! I absolutely loved doing this! I purchased as my husband's 1st wedding anniversary gift, and it didn't disappoint!
It was super therapeutic, I loved it so much, even when it got to the fiddly bits!!
Thank you so much! Will definitely be purchasing again in the future :D!
Chloe
Love it, getting there slowly there is a lot of detail in it so it keeps me busy. Paint and brushes are good quality. Only negative is I bought the frame and it didn't arrive with the painting, was told it on the way but 3 weeks later no sign. It's hard to paint when your relying on the frame as a base
We absolutely love it! It took me quite some time to complete as the detail was very high but extremely happy with the results overall! I wish I would have opted for the maximum colours possible (I went for 36 paints) but I know for next time. I will have to buy and complete another one for a different room now
I’m 15 hours into my paint by numbers and loving it! It’s my second one and is a gift. It’s a hobby for me and a gift for a friend. The detail is fantastic with 36 colours and to me, worth every penny
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