Hello! Here's a tutorial on how to create simple, cheap wall art that goes with the colors of any room -- as long as you can find the right paint colors. This list may look heavy, but it shouldn't cost you more than $20 if you're thrifty. You may even have this stuff lying around your house.
List of ingredients:
Step 1: White-out the Canvases
List of ingredients:
- Canvas -- free if you find them by a dumpster like I did
- White acrylic paint -- to act as a base
- Paintbrush
- Acrylic paints that match your room -- I chose three (tan, mint, and gray)
- A hand drawn picture (or three, in my case)
- Camera or scanner
- Access to a laser printer (I ordered a laser print at Staples for $6)
- X-acto Knife
- Matte Mod Podge
- Sponge brush
- Soft cloth, preferably microfiber
- Water
Step 1: White-out the Canvases
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Found these three laying next to a dumpster. Pretty, but not my style. Whited them out with 3 coats of acrylic paint.
Allow time to dry completely. |
Step 2: Add Ombre Effect
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Start at the top of the canvas with white paint mixed with generous helpings of water. Slowly work your way down with horizontal strokes adding a few drops of color as you move down. If you see streaks, add more water. Go slowly; it's easier to add color than to take away.
Allow time to dry completely. |
Step 3: Make Drawing
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I used India ink to paint about 20 different versions of a phone, camera, and typewriter. It doesn't really matter what medium you use, but I would recommend starting off with one color until you get a feel for the Mod Podge transfer.
I choose my 3 favorite paintings to move onto the next step. |
Step 4: Make a Laser Print of Your Image(s)
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Take a picture or scan your image. Clean it up in a computer or just print it raw. I stacked my images and made two copies, side by side. This gave me 6 images in total (2 copies just in case I had mistakes). I got them printed at Staples in 10 minutes for $6.
Note: you will need the mirror image version since you'll be transferring this. |
Step 5: Cut out Your Images
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Carefully cut out each image. I left some paper border around the edges. Anywhere there is paper will cause a crease in the glue later on so be mindful how your are cutting your images out.
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Step 6: Use Mod Podge to Glue Your Image to the Canvas
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With the sponge brush, quickly apply the Mod Podge to the laser inked side of your print out. Also apply it to the canvas where you'll be adhering your print. Do not glue the back of your printed paper.
Once both areas are covered, carefully place image face side down onto canvas. You will not be able to move it once it's down. Pressing from the center of the image outward, work out any bubbles. Do not use your nails because scratching the paper could pull up the ink. Note that even with the matte glue, this stuff is not invisible and comes out as an eggshell reflection so don't just smear it all over the place (unless that's the effect you want). |
Step 7: Wipe Away the Paper
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After about an hour, gently touch the glue to make sure it's dried. Grab a bowl of water and a cloth, preferably microfiber, and soak the back of the printed image. Slowly start rubbing the back of the paper until just the saturated paper comes up. If you rub too hard, ink will come up too, which can cause a distressed look, but too much will rub everything away.
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Step 7: Coat with Mod Podge (optional), Dry, and Hang
How was that? Did it work? TELL ME ALL ABOUT IT!
And yes, this method works just fine on wood and you can do it using colored laser prints and photos. Experiment! Enjoy!
And yes, this method works just fine on wood and you can do it using colored laser prints and photos. Experiment! Enjoy!
