DIY Art Masterpiece

Oil paints can be blended, spattered or brushed onto canvas.

Creating your very own art masterpiece doesn't have to be complicated. The secret to creating a great piece of art lies in choosing the right colors and adding interest to your canvas in the form of texture or movement. Start with a basic piece of stretched canvas and a few complementary or contrasting colors and let your imagination run wild.

Things You'll Need

• Color wheel
• Stretched canvas
• Oil paints
• Paintbrushes in various sizes
• Pencil

Instructions

1. Consult a color wheel to choose your color scheme for your masterpiece. An analogous color scheme is three colors that lie next to each other on the color wheel. Complementary color schemes are two colors that lie opposite from each other on the wheel. A monochromatic color scheme is varying shades of the same color.

2. Paint the background of your canvas using the color of your choice. Use a large brush and smooth strokes if your painting is going to have detail. If you want to add texture, use a medium-sized brush and paint the paint on unevenly, leaving it thicker in some areas. Add movement by swirling your brush or using different-sized brushes and strokes to draw the eye from one area of the canvas to another.

3. Let your background paint dry overnight.

4. Use a pencil to lighly sketch the design for your masterpeice. Use objects in nature or around the house for your inspiration.

5. Paint your design using the colors from your color scheme and various-sized brushes. Create an abstract image by using a brush to spatter paint across your canvas or by using geometric shapes and lines to add depth and interest to your piece.

Tips & Warnings

• Look at your canvas from a few feet back to get the full effect. Remember, few people will be looking at your art very closely once it is hung on a wall.

References

• Color Matters: Basic Color Theory