Redcollie Watercolour Stretchers have been selling internationally online for over 20 years and are proven to be a simple solution to the problem of keeping watercolour paper flat while painting. They do away with the need for gumstrip tape for ever.

However, I have decided to retire from making these and when the current stock is exhausted, that will be the end of these stretchers.

The stretchers are now surface-waxed to resist water and feature a new binder design with improved grip that is easier to use.

I developed these when teaching watercolour painting, realising that many people had problems stretching paper with conventional gumstrip: get the paper too wet and it doesn't stick to the board, and even if it does it can sometimes tear free as it dries.

Ideally suited for papers up to 300gsm these stretchers are lightweight and easy to use, enabling the watercolourist to stretch a sheet of paper in as little as ten minutes. If bought in pairs they can be placed face-to-face, thus preventing the paper and painting from being damaged in transit - particularly useful when working en-plein-aire or going to a watercolour class.

The board is formed from laminated hdf, waxed for water resistance and the binders are thermoplastic.

The binders are slightly thicker than the board, enabling a ruler to steady the hand over the painted surface if required.

When the painting is complete the binders are removed and the painting is ready for mounting and framing or block mounting and varnishing.

This YouTube link shows a video of the stretcher in use:
https://youtu.be/OnwBjBxsdX4


The stretchers come in various popular sizes: A3, A4, Half or Quarter Imperial. Please contact me for further details or visit the Alec Delapre website.

The A3 board is 42 X 30 cm (16.5 X 12 inches)
The A4 board (which also stretches 1/8 Imperial paper) is 30 X 21 cm (12 X 8.25 inches)
The Quarter Imperial board is 38 X 28 cm (15 X11 inches)
The Half Imperial board is 56 X 38 cm (22 X 15 inches)
(Please note that these sizes are specific to the size of paper to be stretched.)

They come complete with the binders to hold the paper on the board and full instructions as to their use.

The paper is soaked as normal, then fixed to the board with the two-part binders. A hairdrier can be used to dry the paper if required, or if working wet-on-wet you can start painting immediately.

DELIVERY:
FREE TO A SINGLE UK ADDRESS. (2nd class postage)
OVERSEAS CUSTOMERS PLEASE NOTE: THE COST QUOTED IS FOR TRACKED AND/OR SIGNED AIRMAIL TO USA AND CANADA. EU PRICES WILL BE LESS AND THE DIFFERENCE REFUNDED. EU STRETCHERS ARE USUALLY CHEAPER TO POST AND THE DIFFERENCE REFUNDED.
NB: THESE STRETCHERS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE ON EBAY WHERE THEIR GLOBAL SHIPPING PROGRAMME MAY BE A CHEAPER OPTION!

Please check the contents of the parcel immediately upon receipt. Errors must be notified within 48 hours.