How to Make Your Own Artwork for Home Decor

Most of us take great pride in our home and want our home decor to reflect who we are as individuals. However, that isn't always as easy as it sounds. While we may have an idea of what we "want" to put in our homes, we may not always have the money we need to make that happen.One way to add a touch of yourself to your home is to make your own wall artwork. Following the steps established below will give you some ways to add pizazz to your home.

Things You'll Need

• Canvas (size of your choice)
• Glassed in frame (size of your choice)
• Paint
• Spray bottles
• Condiment bottles
• Miscellaneous paint brushes
• Easel or compartmentalized paint format
• Glitter
• Sand
• Pearl powder
• Crackle
• Wood
• Flower
• Stones
• Glue
• Fish net
• Seashells, starfish, seahorses, and/or sand dollars
• Gemstones (whole and crushed)
• Recycle jewelry pieces
• Ribbon
• Braid
• Rope
• Lace
• Fabric
• Scarf
• Metal pieces, strips, and/or shapes
• Paper mache
• Various types of paper

Instructions

How to Make Your Own Artwork for Home Decor

1. Decide what "type" of artwork you want to accomplish. The styles included in this article including paintings, fabric designs, and textured works. However, you can be creative to build something that speaks to your own individual personality.

2. Draw out a basic design of what you want to achieve with your artwork piece.

3. Put the paint colors of your choice into separate spray bottles. Spray the paint on to the canvas in any design that you choose. Continue to add additional colors and layer until you are happy with the results. Add additional techniques as listed below if you so desire.

4. Put the paint colors of your choice into condiment style bottles that you can use to squirt paint on to the canvas. Use straight, swirling, zigzag, circular or any other movements that you want to achieve the look that you desire. Add additional colors and overlap, layer, or separate sections according to your design. You can also use any of the other additional techniques listed within this article.

5. Put the paint colors of your choice in a easel or other compartmentalized form. With a brush paint any design that you want on to the canvas. Blend colors together or mix colors together to make a rainbow effect or brand new colors. Use different types of paintbrushes to achieve different types of designs and techniques. Overlap or layer colors to achieve the look that you want.

6. Paint a picture of your own using any method you choose.

7. Add light texture to your painting by adding one of the following techniques or one that you have developed on your own. Add sand to paint for a gritty feel. Crackle the paint on the canvas for an antiqued feel. Add pearlized compound to the paint for a unique aurora Borealis look. Grind up gemstones and sprinkle on to the painting. Sprinkle glitter randomly about the painting.

8. Add three-dimensional techniques to give interest to your artwork. Adhere preserved pieces of wood, flowers, or stones to the painting. For a contemporary seascape idea, adhere a bit of fish netting to the painting and then add in some seashells, starfish, sand dollars or seahorses into the net. Adhere gemstones and/or recycled pieces of jewelry to the painting for a classy, unusual, art deco design. Adhere ribbon, braid, roping, lace, or other items to the painting for a more Victorian feel.

9. Add metalworking to your artwork by adhering metal strips, pieces, or varying shapes to the painting. The metal can remain as natural metal or you can paint them as well before adhering them to the painting.

10. Add paper mache or different types of paper to your painting. The paper mache may remain natural or it too can be painted with regular, pearlized, glitter, or gleam paint to add different textures to your artwork. If you are going to use various types of paper, mix solids and prints for more interest.

11. Frame a piece of your favorite fabric, a pretty scarf or stunning lace or stretch it over a canvas frame. Leave as is or combine this technique with any of the others listed within this article.

12. Combine multiple techniques together such as painting, fabric, and/or texture to create a totally unique design that is totally individualized to you and your home.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose paints that are safe and work with the various media you intend to use.

• Choose paints of various types to add more interest, like dimensional, puff, glitter, or pearlized paints.

• Work in a well vented space.

• Look for pre-ground gems if you want to use that technique and don't have the equipment to grind your own.

• Don't worry if you can't paint an actual design. Instead just go modern or free form.

• Make certain that you have something underneath your canvas to protect from spillage.

• Be sure to preserve any natural products that you intend to adhere to your painting. Use lacquer, spray acrylic or any other product recommended for the specific type of product you intend to use.

• Consider glassing in scarves, fabric, or lace for extra protection.