Stretching Paper Workshop

Stretching paper is a vital skill to know when painting, the main reason for stretching paper is to stop it from warping or waving when it gets wet.

Step One:
Find a flat surface to work on. Preferably a wooden board. This is in case you want to move, but a table would work just fine.

Step Two:

Get your piece of paper and with a damp cloth wet both sides.

Step Three:

Get some gum tape (brown paper strip with an adhesive on one side)

Cut up into four strips, about four inches longer than your paper.

One at a time, quickly place a strip of gum tape into a pot of water. Pull it out and place it in between your index and middle finger. Pull the strip through your fingers to squeeze off the excess water.

Step Four:

Place the wet gum tape along the edge of your paper about one centimetre in.
Carry on steps three and four until all the sides are done.

Press down and rub each side to make sure it is all secure (the gum tape has a tendency to peel back if it is too wet or not pressed down correctly)
Leave the paper to air dry (do not speed up the drying time with a hair dryer, for example, as this will also cause the paper to warp)
Once dry the paper will be flat/stretched and ready to paint on.
(When your painting is complete do NOT cut it off the board until it is completely dry as all your preparation with stretching the paper will be a waste and the paper will warp)