Pages

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

DIY Photo Canvas

Every time I've had family pictures made, I have wanted a canvas print. But holy-moley they cost so much! Then I started seeing tutorials pop up all over Pinterest to make your own canvas and I knew I had to try it. As with every project I try for the first time, I learned some things to do different next time {which is great for you!}.




It begins with this awesome app I was introduced to by Melissa at The Happier Homemaker. The app is called Waterlogue and it turns your picture into a watercolor painting.


So cool, right?!


So, here's what you need for the canvas:
  • A picture {printed on regular computer paper, nothing fancy. I wanted a border of canvas around my pic so my image was 9x9}
  • Canvas {because my pic originated on Instagram I used a square canvas, 10x10}
  • Liquitex Gloss Gel Medium {either gloss or matte is fine, I used gloss}
  • Old English Furniture Polish
{Important Reminder: You will be putting your picture face down on the canvas so your final image will be reversed. If it is important that your image remain as it is originally, be sure to print your picture as a mirror image.}


The first step is to evenly brush a thin coat of Liquitex onto the canvas. It is important that it is smooth without any globs. Then place your picture face down and smooth out all the bubbles. You want to make sure every bit of the picture is pressed onto the Liquitex. Let this dry over night.



In this step you have to remove the paper leaving only the ink print of your image. It is best to work slow and in small sections at a time. In order to remover the paper you must soak the paper with water and rub it off. To do this I used a rag dipped in a glass of water and then squeezed it over the area I wanted to work in. You want enough water to soak the paper good but not enough to leave a puddle. You will get the feel of how much water to use. I also found it best to rub the paper off with my fingers rubbing in a circular motion. This way I was able to feel the smoothness when I reached the ink. Be careful because you can rub the ink off leaving a splotch of bare canvas. If you are going for a distressed look it will work as long as the area isn't too big.

When all of the paper is removed I wet my hand in the sink and gently rubbed the entire canvas to remove any remaining pieces of paper. This is also where I scuffed up my edges so it wasn't such a harsh line. I tried several things {a rough sponge, my fingernail, a wire brush} each creates a different kind of look. Let me know what works for you. I wasn't totally thrilled with any of my methods, but they did work. Then let the canvas dry.


When you go to check the dryness of the canvas don't freak out when it's all cloudy like this. That's where the furniture polish comes in. Using a rag, rub the canvas with furniture polish and it will remove  the cloudy paper residue.


loved how it turned out and I can't wait to make more! Let me know how yours turned out. Did you use a regular picture or did you fall in love with Waterlogue?


29 comments:

  1. I came over from a comment you left on my blog. I've been hearing about this app but haven't been sold. Now I'm sold. This is really neat! Great idea.

    Shannon ~ bohemianjunktion.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! I'm in love with the app and it's great because it does square photos and regular sized photos so you aren't limited to just square like Instagram.

      Delete
  2. What a great idea! This seems easy enough, I think I will give it a try!

    ReplyDelete
  3. It's a nice information about the quality Canvas Prints. We have always wanted to get into printing on canvas. For custom photo artwork I have used Canvas Dezign and have been very satisfied.

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a gorgeous photo canvas! I've printed photos on canvas before, but this is something else! I shall try it when I get a chance :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I had no idea that you could do canvas photo prints from home. It looks really cool and is something that I want to be able to do myself. This would be really amazing and is a great way to get some of my favorite photos on canvases.
    http://qualitycanvasphotos.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. It's an awesome canvas photo.You can see more canvas photo art online and buy.

    ReplyDelete
  7. We are one of the online florists in KL that providing bouquets for different occasions such as Valentine's Day, graduation, wedding, grand opening, tribute and etc.

    ReplyDelete
  8. We are one of the pioneers providing canvas printing, canvas print, canvas print malaysia as well as painting canvas in Singapore and Malaysia.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Photo canvas is a nice gift because it signifies the memories you had with your loved ones.
    Instagram Canvas Print

    ReplyDelete
  10. Canvas printing in Toronto is cost-effective because you need not have to invest in another printed canvas for years after you purchase one.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wow! What a great blog you have published. I adore it and will share to my friends.Thanks! cheap canvas prints large

    ReplyDelete
  12. Canvas printing and photography became as a real good mix a while back now. You can use any image even if it is from a normal camera, but it always helps if you are looking for a sharper and cleaner image to use photographic images as they tend to have been worked on to the highest.More info
    have a peek at this web-site

    ReplyDelete
  13. The blog was absolutely fantastic! Lot of information is helpful in some or the other way. Keep updating the blog, looking forward for more content...Great job, keep it up. Print Malaysia

    ReplyDelete
  14. The blog was absolutely fantastic, Lot of information is helpful in some or the other way. Keep updating the blog, looking forward for more content…. Great job, keep it up.
    custom canvas Malaysia

    ReplyDelete
  15. Nice Blog! Thank you for sharing with us your information about size of prints.It is very helpful to everyone. I found lot of blogs about canvas prints in internet you can also visit http://www.canvasndecor.ca/canvas-print.html

    ReplyDelete
  16. Good blog! You have described in a nice way.
    Thanks for sharing this information.
    canvas printing

    ReplyDelete
  17. Nice Blog! Thanks for sharing a valuable information with us.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Photo Canvas Collage prints are the ideal way to display lots of your stunning images without buying masses of bulky picture frames or cluttering up the house. With the use of smartphones and readily available digital cameras, we have become a nation of amateur photographers, using Instagram to capture our favourite moments. Out of this we now have some incredible photographs we are sure to treasure forever; the problem is there are just too many of them, making the task almost impossible when
    choosing images to display in our homes

    ReplyDelete
  19. Photo Canvas Collage prints are the ideal way to display lots of your stunning images without buying masses of bulky picture frames or cluttering up the house. With the use of smartphones and readily available digital cameras, we have become a nation of amateur photographers, using Instagram to capture our favourite moments. Out of this we now have some incredible photographs we are sure to treasure forever; the problem is there are just too many of them, making the task almost impossible when choosing images to display in our homes

    ReplyDelete
  20. Photo Canvas Collage prints are the ideal way to display lots of your stunning images without buying
    masses of bulky picture frames or cluttering up the house. With the use of smartphones and readily
    available digital cameras, we have become a nation of amateur photographers, using Instagram to
    capture our favourite moments. Out of this we now have some incredible photographs we are sure to
    treasure forever; the problem is there are just too many of them, making the task almost impossible
    when

    choosing images to display in our homes

    ReplyDelete
  21. Photo Canvas Collage prints are the ideal way to display lots of your stunning images without buying masses of bulky picture frames or cluttering up the house. With the use of smartphones and readily available digital cameras, we have become a nation of amateur photographers, using Instagram to capture our favourite moments. Out of this we now have some incredible photographs we are sure to treasure forever; the problem is there are just too many of them, making the task almost impossible when
    choosing images to display in our homes

    ReplyDelete
  22. Such a wonderful canvas, you made it like a professional artist. I just came through your blog by chance and I stopped to see it. This is really amazing. If you are facing a problem in prices then you can try the best top rated online canvas app on your phone "Iphoto canvas". There prices are normal and provide many frames and canvas designs.

    ReplyDelete
  23. There are classic mind games that have stood the test of time and are suitable for all ages! Our Sudoku 247 recreates this intellectual game, in addition to entertainment, the games here can also train some other skills such as thinking, creativity, patience... I believe Our website will bring you and every one the most relaxing and rewarding moments!

    ReplyDelete