wrinkles in a canvas

I have a 48 x 60 canvas to stretch. I suspect the "canvas" is sailcloth or canvas drop cloth- very heavy and certainly not pliable. I'm having trouble stretching a getting rid of the wrinkles. Thoughts as to how to take care of this?

Pat

 

From what I can see in the image, not much, the inconsistencies of the painted fabric appear to be from inept handling of the painting while it was stored or shipped. You have not given us any information on what type of stretcher bars that are to be used. Corner keyed bars are essential.
My first suggestion is to stabilize the humidity level of the canvas in a humidity chamber of some sort to reduce and brittleness at a temperature that is higher than ambient temperature. This would be an excellent candidate for a conservator using a heated table to relax the painting. After the painting on canvas has been relaxed it can be stretched in a normal fashion.

This is not a stretching job for a novice framer.

 

Thank you- In my original message I did say that the canvas is 48 x 60.

 

I saw that after I posted and corrected that probably while you were responding. The key is that the canvas has to be relaxed.