Does anyone know how this is done?

Does anyone have a link to equipment, or have it for sale?

Any help would be just swell ;) - Yes i said swell, but only as a joke... honest.

I would've made a suggestion, if it wasn't for the "swell" joke... :P

Ah seeing as though I'm feeling kind, here (http://www.artsparx.com/canvasstretching.asp) you (http://www.rexart.com/stretching.html) go (http://painting.about.com/library/weekly/aa012102a.htm)...

I seem to remember from childhood (neighbourhood hippy artist lived nearby) that you can wet the canvas so it stretches more, then contracts when it dries, or something like that...

They sell fairly cheap canvasas on a frame at Hobycraft.

You can buy canvas already stretched over a wooden box frame from 'The Works' there is one at Crystal Peaks...they do various sizes and have the really cheap ones with staples showing or for a little more money ones without staples showing!!

I think these are much better than doing it yourself....:)

They also sell the acrylic paints much cheaper than specialist art shops etc

10 x 12 is about £4

Used to be able to buy 10 ounce cotton 'V' Duck canvas at Mudfords on Petre St S4 cheap Sold it off the roll.
Don't know if they are still going, though

Now then... thinking back to my A-Level art days...

***trawls through deepest darkest recesses of memory***

From what I can remember, you spread a canvas over your wooden frame and the tape it, staple it or whatever, and then wet it.

As it dries, the canvas shrinks, so it stretches and forms a taught surface to paint on.

It takes a while for it to dry though - I seem to remember preparing canvas for the next day's lesson a day in advance.

Hope that's of some use to you.

Here's how to get the absolute best results (in my experience). Use heavy calico, easily available and much cheaper than cotton duck. Make sure you have a batten around the frame so the surface of the canvas lifts clear. Use a staple gun to fix the canvas to the frame. It needs to be reasonably tight - no waves etc.

Are you an animal lover? Let's hope not..... Buy some rabbit size glue from a hardware shop. This comes in the form of granules, which are dissolved in warm water. The smell is horrible, exactly like dead rabbit. When the solution is fully dissolved, brush it on with a wide decorator's brush moving quickly.

Ten minutes later you will have a beautifully taut canvas, stretched clear of the frame. It will make the loveliest, most inviting sound when you run your hand over it. Most people prime with an oil-based undercoat if painting with oils.

This is a superb surface to paint onto. Way better than any ready-made item you can buy in Hobbycraft etc...

Good luck!