Wiring Work

There are basically two methods that I use prepare work for hanging after the paintings have been completed.  I use the same tools but the method differs depending on the size of the piece.

TOOLS:

• Ruler or measuring tape
  
• Sharpee or pencil to mark the stretcher bar(s)
  
• Awl (creates divot so that adding the screw is easier)
  
• Scissors or wire snips
  
• Screwdriver (a small cordless makes things much easier)
  
• D-rings and screws
  
• Hanging wire
  

SMALLS:
With smaller pieces under 8 inches wide I find that too much hardware on the back makes things feel rather bulky.  I have tried sawtooth hangers and eyelet hooks set into the gallery depth canvases but they are awkward for me to work with...maybe it's because my thumbs are double-jointed and don't always cooperate.  My favorite method is to use one D-ring at the top center of the canvas. Once it's flipped up, it hooks nicely, hides any hardware used on the wall, can be hung with a small finishing nail, and always hangs straight.

LARGE:
Anything 10 inches and up are considered larger canvases as far as I can see in regards to hanging wires.  I measure the canvases and mark 1/3 of the way down the back which is where I place my D-rings on both sides.  The thickness of the wire is dependent on the size of the canvas (the wire is labelled by weight) and I typically wrap it around the D-ring twice and then wrap the wire tightly around itself.  I don't pull the wire too taught across the back of the canvas so that it's not difficult to hang, but tight enough so that it hangs flat against a wall.