Pictures on Canvas

Hello Crafters!

Finished picture on canvas

I have a new project for you that you should definitively try, its easy and relatively inexpensive.  Moose and her friends were having a gift exchange and they invited me along, so I wanted to make them something special and not break the bank.  I kept seeing Groupons for putting a picture on canvas, but on a larger scale, and I thought I want to do that!  So I researched a bit and found some directions on how to do it.  Ok here we go...

Gel Medium

Things you will need:

• Canvas (any size, but the biggest would be 8" x 10", due to paper size, but if you can fine a bigger printer, go for it)
• Laser printer
• Liquitex Heavy gloss, gel medium  (it can be any brand, as long as it is a gel medium that will dry clear)
• paint brush
• spray water can
• towel

Desaray and Toby

 Now you should choose a picture you want to put on the canvas.  Special thanks you my friends Desaray, Toby, Al and Angela for allowing me to use you on my blog.  I took pictures of them and added some effects to them.  For Desaray and Toby's picture I made it black and white.  I thought it would look better on the canvas.  Al and Angela's photo had a lot of pretty colors in it, so black and white wasn't the way to go, instead I used a feature in iphoto called antique.  The picture had a kind of rustic look. Now you will need to print them on regular white printer paper, using the laser printer.  Make sure on the printer settings you match the size with the size of canvas you chose.

Angela and Al

Grab your blank canvas, gel, and paint brush. With the paint brush paint a thick layer of gel over the entire canvas, make sure the brush strokes are going in one direction.  After you have the layer of gel, place the printed photo on top, and smooth it out.  Now you should let it  dry for several hours, and if you have the time over night.  It should be completely dry before you start the next step.

Water taking off paper film

After you are sure it is completely dry its time for the fun part.  Place the towel underneath the canvas, because this part can get messy.  Then take your spray can filled with water and spray some onto a corner.  Spray enough so that when you run your fingers over it the paper film starts to come off and leaves the picture.  The more water the easier the paper will start to come off.  This part takes a while and is a bit time consuming.  Just keep spraying the water and peeling off the paper film until it is all off.  You might get some of the picture coming up, which I think gives the painting more character. 

When you are happy with the results, take your paint brush and gel again and paint another layer of gel on the painting, a thin layer will be fine.  Once it is dry you are ready to enjoy your creation!  I hope you enjoyed this tutorial, as always email if you have any questions!

Thanks! Jess, out.

Picture on Canvas