Creating Custom Wall Art with Stretched Canvas

By: Dawn Monclova

Modern Abstract Ready to Hang Stretched Canvas Oil Painting

If you’re looking for a unique and cost-effective way to dress-up your walls, why not create your own masterpiece with canvas and paint. Creating an original work of art shouldn’t be intimidating, but it should be a fun and creative way to express yourself. There are no rules to follow, just create something that makes you feel good and complements your space.

If you're an artist, that’s great! But if you’re a novice you can use several tools to help you create a unique piece. Start your project by purchasing inexpensive stretched artist canvas in the size of your choice, then choose acrylic or oil based paints to put onto your blank canvas. I’m not a painter, but I used my limited skills to create a couple of eclectic original art pieces that work for my living space.

On one of my pieces I used several 16"x20" stretched canvas pieces and hot glued them together (side by side – up & down) to create the look and size I wanted for my wall space. I added lightweight fast-drying spackle to fill on the areas that were glued together (using a spackle knife), and created depth and texture to the piece by placing spackle onto  random areas around the canvas (you can also add white glue to random areas to get a crackled look).

I painted the background with a flat black paint and used oil-based artist paints (several rich colors -- use colors to suit your style/taste) sporadically  around the canvas. I squirted different colors to different areas and used a spackle knife to spread out the paint (instead of using a paint brush); the blended paints created a unique design/art piece. To add additional depth, I added specific colors to certain areas around the canvas to highlight it—remember, you’re creating art, as long as it looks good to you it’s art. When you’ve got the look you want, let it dry, sign your masterpiece and display it proudly.

In another original art piece, I used my limited painting skills and two 24"x36" stretched canvas pieces, glued them together (same as above) and painted a bowl of fruit the way I perceived it. You don't have to be an artist to paint your own masterpiece. Art is perception, it's based on what the individual sees and feels when they look at it. So, be your own artist and express yourself!

Tools Needed:

• Stretched artist canvas
• Spackle
• Spackle Knife
• Paint (any type—acrylic, oil, stains, glazes)
• Sponge brush- Paint brushes

*Canvas painting Ideas:

1. Stencil- use stencils on your canvas to create a great look
2. Modeling Paste- use modeling paste with stencils to create a raised textured look & feel
3. Wood Stain- use wood stain to create a wood block piece