Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Photo Canvas Tutorial

photo canvas tutorial, DIY photo canvas

Making a photo canvas is so seriously easy ~ you have to try it.

Here's all you'll need:

8x10" photo
8x10" canvas
Mod Podge
Craft Paint

First, find a digital photo you want to transfer to canvas. I used PicMonkey (free photo editing program) to brighten up the photos I wanted to use. With PicMonkey you can also change your photo to Black and White, or Sepia... there are all kinds of ideas. Just play. :-)

Once they're the way you want them, send them to WalMart photo shop (or wherever) to have them printed. I chose 8x10", and they were $2.84 each. 

(Walmart also has 2 packs of 8x10" canvases for about $4.) 

Take your craft paint and paint the edges of the canvas. I used black, but you could used any color to match your photo. It only takes only about 15 minutes for this to dry. 

Next you're going to need Mod Podge. You can choose matte Mod Podge or glossy. I used matte.


Make sure your photo fits to the edges of the canvas, or use an exacto knife if you have to trim to fit. 

Paint the front of the canvas with mod podge, and carefully place your photo onto the canvas.

I didn't paint on too much mod podge, but not too thin either ~ don't worry too much about this. You just want the photo to stick down to the canvas and be nice and snug. Use your hands to smooth out any bubbles. 

Next take your paint brush and "paint" the mod podge on the front of your photo. Try to make all of your brush strokes in one direction. The picture below shows this. These brush strokes are going to make the photo look like it was painted on to the canvas. 

photo canvas tutorial, DIY photo canvas

Let dry for a couple of hours and there you have it! 

photo canvas tutorial, DIY photo canvas

These make awesome gifts, or you could just make a couple for yourself! 

photo canvas tutorial, DIY photo canvas

Have you made a photo canvas? Do you have any tips or tricks to add to my tutorial? I'd love to hear! x Julia

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15 comments:

Katherines Corner said...

this is very clever. They look terrific. I'm hopping over from Merry Monday. Leaving hugs and inviting you to share at my Thursday hop ( starts tonight 8 PM MST)

Unknown said...

Thank you Katherine ~ I will be there tonight! Julia

Unknown said...

I'm constantly amazed at the craftiness of you guys. Looks fun! And maybe even a non-crafter (like me!) could do this. Pinned.

grandmaangel said...

Loved this idea. I have printed photos onto fabric sheets and made pillows before, but am anxious to give this a try. Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

Patti, you can definitely do this! If I can, you can! Julia

Grandmaangel, printing on fabric sounds interesting!!! Thanks for stoping by, Julia

Calypso In The Country said...

Such a great idea and so much cheaper than ordering them already on canvases!
-Shelley

Julie Nichols said...

I love this idea!! I will have to give it a try. thanks for sharing

Sherri S. said...

Love this idea! :-)

Blessings...
~Sherri

laniebp said...

I did this using my granddaughters pic and it turned out great. I even surprised myself!

Sweetwater Style said...

This looks simple enough that I am definitely going to try it. I have this great ipad app called "Waterlogue" that turns photos into watercolor looking images. I think that would be fun to try with this technique. Thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

Shelley, thanks for stopping by. Yes, it's cheaper and so easy!

Julie, I hope you do try it. So fun!

Sherri, it's so easy and the pictures look so good this way.

Ianiebp, I'm so glad you tried it! I'd love to see!

Julia

Pam said...

What a wonderful idea! I've been wanting some photo canvases for our family room wall, but didn't want to spend a lot. THIS is what I'll do! Stopped by from Fridays Unfolded. Great blog!

Made From Pinterest said...

I had no idea it was so easy to make a photo canvas! Thanks for sharing, I'll have to try it!

Unknown said...

Thanks Pam! You'll love doing it - so easy!

Made From Pinterest, I'm so glad you stopped by. It really is simple.

Let me know if you guys make them! I want to see! :)


Julia

Lou Lou Girls said...

I love this idea! So easy. Pinned. Thanks again for being a part of our party. I hope to see you tonight. Lou Lou Girls