Big Art Love, Redux

By DIY Maven

Yesterday we discussed using decorative fabric to create art. Today we’re going to tackle something a bit more adventurous, so hang on!

Calling all Picassos

Take a trip to your local art supply store and pick up a large stretched canvas and create a masterpiece of your own. If you’re worried about your artistic ability, don’t be!

Skip the Brush

Use utensils such as small paint rollers for wide expanses of geometric color and sponges for organic-looking blobs. For rings, dip the rim of a Styrofoam cup into paint and "stamp" rings onto your canvas. Your choices for utensils are limitless. And remember, if you mess it up, it can be painted over!

High Art Painter’s Tape

For another interesting effect, apply an undercoat of your choosing to the entire canvas and then, using painter’s tape, tape off portions of your canvas. Use utensils to apply top coats. When dry, remove tape to reveal the original bottom color.

Going Naked

If I remember correctly, Farrah Fawcett slathered herself in paint and then rolled around on canvas for the Playboy Channel a few years back. I’m not suggesting you do this, but hey, if you’re so inclined, go for it! My idea of naked, however, is "utensil-less" in a Jackson Pollock sort of way. Dribble paint from above your canvas and see how the things fall. You might end up with a masterpiece of Pollock proportions!

For the Color Phobic

This project is great for those of you afraid to commit to color. Maybe you love the idea of having a red bedroom, but the thought of painting an entire room the color of a pomegranate gives you a case of the yips. Or maybe you live in an apartment where painting is prohibited. Thumb your paint-speckled nose at your landlord and add all the color your heart desires!

Both Dick Blick's and Michael’s carry a wide variety of paint and canvas sizes. For example, a 36" x 40" canvas at Dick’s is about 35 bucks. The paint type you use is up to you. It’ll come down to drying time and clean up–especially for those of you who want to go the Farrah route.

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art Pollock

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November 14, 2006

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CasaHartman

December 10, 2006

I did this this weekend... I used a louon door as my canvas. It started out with the intention of being Pollock-esque, but ended up being a monochromatic silver piece that depends strictly on texture. I used 2" painter's tape to mask off a mock frame around the door panel.

Full size image here.

Yeah, it'll be heavy, but I think the size adds to its impact.

DIY Maven

November 17, 2006

For anyone opting for MDF, keep in mind it is weighty. You may want to keep this in mind if you want to hang your big art on the wall.

Allsunday

November 17, 2006

Don't forget that you can also use just about anything as canvas. Pieces of cardboard, box lids, wood pieces - anything flat and reasonably smooth. You can get a huge piece of MDF at the hardware store for much less money than a canvas, and it'll work just as well. And if you're a sucker for painting on cloth, you can just buy a big roll of canvas for cheap, cut it to size, stretch and staple. "Professional" canvas and paint are overrated.