How to fix a rip or hole in a stretched canvas

We’ve all done it. Dropped something, or dropped a perfectly good canvas and made a hole in it. It happens. Today I’ll show you how to fix it flawlessly! You might even be inspired to pick up a few damaged canvasses on the bargain table at the art store now you see how easy they are to fix!

Supplies: *Affiliate links used

• One damaged stretched canvas (duh)

• Glue or gel medium

• Gesso

• Palette knife

• 1″ wide Taklon paintbrush

• Wax paper, parchment, or another nonstick surface

• A weight like a book or heavy flat object (if you have any idea what that glass thing I used is for let me know in the comments!)

• Raw canvas fabric (you can use a canvas drop cloth or 100% cotton duct from a fabric store)

Directions:

1. Cut a circle of unprimed canvas fabric larger than the hold you want to patch. I go about 1″ larger on all sides and around the corners.

2. Working from the back of the canvas brush glue on the damaged canvas as well as on the patch and press the patch glue side down over the hole. Brush over the patch to make sure you have good contact and the edges are glued down well. Let dry. *Make sure your work surface is protected with plastic or waxed paper to prevent sticking.

3. Flip over the canvas and paint gesso over the hole. You can use a palette knife to scrape the thick gesso over the hole and level the surface. Feel free to do several layers and sand if needed.

4. I recommend giving the entire canvas a fresh coat of gesso to make sure the surface is consistent.

I hope you found this useful and til next time happy crafting!