Blick Art Materials | Stretcher Keys 101 @Blick_Art | Uploaded November 2023 | Updated October 2024, 1 day ago.
Ever wonder what those little wooden pieces that come with some stretched canvases are for?
No, they’re not surfboards for mice. They’re called stretcher keys, and they’re designed to adjust the tension of canvas that’s gone slack due to the weight of your paint or changes in temperature and humidity.
The ️key 🤭 is learning how and why to use them. While their primary function is to tighten the canvas, their main purpose is to maintain a flat painting surface, ensuring longevity for your artwork. Paint becomes less flexible as it ages, so a flat surface is vital for reducing stress on delicate layers.
And here’s a few fun facts for all you history buffs:
🖼️ Stretcher keys are a relatively recent innovation. In the past, canvases were attached to strainers, frames with fixed corners that couldn't expand. If a painting needed tightening, you had to remove and reinsert the tacks or even re-stretch the canvas entirely.
⌛️ By the mid-18th century, early versions of stretchers were in use, using various corner styles with spaces for small wood inlays to expand the chassis.
🗝️ In 1886, a new design was patented that closely resembles most stretchers used today. This design featured spaces in each corner for u-shaped keys, simplifying the process. Companies like Fredrix continued to refine canvas stretchers, adopting the now-familiar wedge-shaped keys.
Looking for more expert advice? Learn everything you need to know about how to use stretcher keys on our website:
dickblick.com/learning-resources/how-to/stretcher-keys
Ever wonder what those little wooden pieces that come with some stretched canvases are for?
No, they’re not surfboards for mice. They’re called stretcher keys, and they’re designed to adjust the tension of canvas that’s gone slack due to the weight of your paint or changes in temperature and humidity.
The ️key 🤭 is learning how and why to use them. While their primary function is to tighten the canvas, their main purpose is to maintain a flat painting surface, ensuring longevity for your artwork. Paint becomes less flexible as it ages, so a flat surface is vital for reducing stress on delicate layers.
And here’s a few fun facts for all you history buffs:
🖼️ Stretcher keys are a relatively recent innovation. In the past, canvases were attached to strainers, frames with fixed corners that couldn't expand. If a painting needed tightening, you had to remove and reinsert the tacks or even re-stretch the canvas entirely.
⌛️ By the mid-18th century, early versions of stretchers were in use, using various corner styles with spaces for small wood inlays to expand the chassis.
🗝️ In 1886, a new design was patented that closely resembles most stretchers used today. This design featured spaces in each corner for u-shaped keys, simplifying the process. Companies like Fredrix continued to refine canvas stretchers, adopting the now-familiar wedge-shaped keys.
Looking for more expert advice? Learn everything you need to know about how to use stretcher keys on our website:
dickblick.com/learning-resources/how-to/stretcher-keys
