How to Make an Altered Canvas

Turn an ordinary canvas into a memorable work of art.

An altered canvas turns a stretched canvas often used for paintings into a work of art using the methods of mixed media. You can use any art or craft supply you can get your hands on, from paint to glitter to scrapbook elements. The altered canvas can be a scrapbook-style page that is hung on your wall or you can include your own combination of embellishments for a creative piece of wall art.

Things You'll Need

• Stretched canvas
• Acrylic paint
• Paintbrushes
• Decorative paper
• Liquitex gel medium
• Embellishments

Instructions

1. Decide on what style or design you want to use for your altered canvas. You may want to create a scrapbook-style canvas with photographs and decorative embellishments or a minimalist piece of artwork with paint and simple decorations. You can purchase your supplies at any arts and craft store as well as scrapbook supply stores. Sketch your design on a piece of paper first or skip this part and come up with a design as you create.

2. Start by covering the canvas with a coat of acrylic paint as your background. You want to cover not only the front of the canvas but all sides and corners as well, as most altered canvas are not framed. Once the coat of paint has been applied, set it aside to dry.

3. Create the first layer of your altered canvas by choosing a decorative paper and tearing it into smaller pieces. Coat the back of each piece with the gel medium and press it firmly to the dry canvas, smoothing it out to remove wrinkles or bubbles. Continue until you have covered your canvas the way you want. Once the first layer has been applied, cover the entire canvas with gel medium for a strong adhesive hold.

4. Apply your second layer of papers or other decorative embellishments you have chosen to use. This layer may include scrapbook-style papers, stickers, buttons, brads, photographs or any item you have picked up for your altered canvas. The gel medium allows a strong hold for paper items, but if you are using other embellishments you may want to use craft glue.

References

• Michael's: Altered Canvas