How To Make Inexpensive Artwork

My daughter is moving into her own apartment tomorrow and I made this modern looking canvas for her to hang in her room.  I call it a  Tissue Paper Picasso.  I hung it on a wall in my family room just so I could get a photo of it in it’s finished state, before it goes to its new home.

It was very easy to make –  you will need an artist’s canvas, tissue paper, Mod Podge, Ribbon, and Furniture Nails/Tacks.

I found the colorful circle tissue paper at Michael’s.  They have so many fun patterns to choose from, so your options are endless.  I started out with an old canvas I found at a yard sale.  I actually got two.  The other one is still in production – I will post next week on that one.  I am doing it a little differently.  I cleaned the canvas and added two coats of Gesso and let it dry.

My canvas measured 24 x 29.  I needed 2 sheets of tissue paper to cover  the top and to wrap around the sides. I used  Matte Mod Podge, as I didn’t want too much shine.

I had to trim the tissue paper and match the circles.  I centered the largest piece on the canvas.

The other two pieces went to the left and right sides.  Don’t worry too much about keeping your cuts straight.  It won’t matter once you Mod Podge it to the canvas

Pour Mod Podge onto the canvas and spread it around on the entire canvas surface and sides with a paint brush.

Lay the center piece onto the canvas and then brush more Mod Podge on top of the tissue paper.  Move your brush in all directions- this will create a brush stroke look to the canvas once the Mod Podge dries.  Apply the left and right sides in  the same manner.  Wrap excess around to back and adhere with Mod Podge.  Cut excess tissue paper with scissors.

Let dry over night. If you have any large airbubbles, you can press a pin into the bubble and press the air out with your fingers.

You will need ribbon and furniture nails to finish the edge of the canvas.

Starting at one corner, place one end of ribbon and press the furniture nail into the ribbon and frame.  Don’t hammer all the way in yet, as you will have to place the opposite end of the ribbon under this end and them place the nail in permanently.  Wrap the ribbon around the frame and place a nail in every few inches.  I used 5 nails on each side.  Cover the nails with a towel or fabric so you don’t ruin the decorative nail with the hammer.

When you reach the begining corner, remove that first nail and then place the other end of the ribbon under the existing ribbon.  Tack the nail down again.

Hang on the wall.

A Tissue Paper Picasso – easy art to make to decorate your home with.

Tagged as: DIY, DIY Decorating Crafts and Ideas, Mod Podge, Tissue Paper Crafts, Wall art