"I'll stretch the canvas for you."
Hanks wasn't joking.
His main purpose was to admire Gu Weijing's live painting skills, but when he said he'd lend a hand, he really meant it.
Hanks spread out the canvas he had taken from Gu Weijing, skillfully wrapped the four corners, then used wide canvas pliers to flatten and fix the four edges one by one.
Swipe, swipe, swipe, in just a few moves, the canvas was stretched.
Neat!
Gu Weijing looked at Hanks with some surprise.
This blonde agent appeared to be the type who mingles with major collectors, champagne in hand, yet his canvas stretching technique was genuinely adept.
Stretching canvas is both technical work and physical labor.
It must be taut and aligned, without distorting.
The trick is to apply sufficient force, but not to pull and tug; evenly apply force to cross-fix at the four corners.
A slightly frail art student often ends up sweating profusely after stretching a canvas.
Gu Weijing poked the canvas in front of him.
