Our canvases are still manufactured using traditional methods that our greatgrandfather used back in 1890 on wooden frames of 10m x 2.1m. The linen of Flemish origin (Masters of linen labeled) is stretched tightly on our frames using hooks and rope and then rubbed with rabbit skin glue. We use natural sponges that can each hold about 3 liters of glue. The characteristic of the skin glue is that it does not stick when hot and can be applied nicely to the canvas and then rubbed out evenly with a curry comb. Only when the glue cools off will it bond and protect the canvas against the acidity of the paints that will be applied to it. However, the skin glue retains a certain flexibility, which is important to prevent crazing of the paint layers. By using hot glue on the raw linen, the cloth is put under tension and is in fact already pre-shrunk. The result is a nice, tight, closed cloth. In this condition it can already be used for painting with both oil and acrylic paint. Many artists prefer the beautiful natural color of the linen as a background, or prefer to apply a gesso of their choice.

We finish our canvas with at least 2 layers of oil paint, the extra-fine 60xtra has up to 4 layers (excl. glue layer), based on titanium, lithopone and zinc white. We respect sufficient drying time between each operation, thus avoiding the use of dessicants, which benefits the quality and durability of the paint layer. Before applying the next layer and before removing the cloth from the frames, they are sanded manually with sandpaper. Now just remove the 10m long canvas from the windows, roll it up tightly and they can go out for the artist who wants to stretch his own canvas. Naturally, we also supply them finished on regular or 3D stretcher frames.

Our artwork to paint on is ready!

HISTORY

Gustaaf Van Mulders founded the company in 1890, later his two sons Alfons and Petrus succeeded him untill the two sons decided to split the business in 1967. In 1974 Leona Van Mulders took over Alfons's business together with her cousin Wery De Knibber. A few years ago Jan Van der Burght (son of Leona) took over the workshop and shop, hoping to be able to continue the traditional way of making painting canvas.

We continue to prepare our canvas in the old traditional way, using rabit skin glue and our grandfathers special priming. The quality of our painting canvas is our first priority. Our canvas is manually stretched before preparation.

As of 2018, our activities where rewarded with the official label of Craftsman by the Belgian government department of economy.