DIY Wood Canvas
Take the DIY approach and make your canvas out of a solid, flat piece of wood. Whether you bought the piece of wood in a store or cut it from a tree in your backyard, you will need to prepare it for painting so that it lasts and holds its shape. Follow the proper procedure to stretch fabric over the wood so that it doesn't warp or discolor the painting, and prime it to give you a smooth surface.
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Things You'll Need
- Wood
- Measuring tape
- Linen fabric
- Scissors
- Carpet glue
- Gesso
- Measuring cup
- Water
- Bowl
- Paintbrush
- Sandpaper
Instructions
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1
Place the flat piece of wood on a piece of thick linen fabric. Trace a line on the fabric all the way around the wood, extending the length of the thickness of the wood, plus 2 inches so the fabric can wrap around to the other side of the wood. For example, if the piece of wood is 1/2 inch thick, extend the line on the fabric to 2 1/2 inches all the way around. Remove the wood and cut the fabric along the traced line.
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2
Wipe the piece of wood clean on both sides with a lint-free cloth to get rid of any specs of dust or dirt, which can create small bubbles in the canvas. Brush a solvent-free carpet glue across the piece of wood and center it, glued side down, on the piece of canvas you cut. Brush the glue along the sides of the wood and 2 inches inward along all four sides. Smooth the canvas along the glued areas. Let the glue dry for 12 hours.
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3
Measure the length and width of the wood and subtract 2 inches from each side to get the measurement for the canvas that will go on the back of the wood. For example, if the wood is 3 feet long by 2 feet wide, Measure and cut the canvas to 2 feet, 10 inches by 1 foot, 10 inches. Glue this piece of canvas to the back of the wood the same way you did with the front and smooth it out. Wait 12 hours for it to dry.
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4
Mix some acrylic gesso in a bowl with 1/2 cup of water and mix it to get the consistency of thin cake batter -- add more water slowly and stir until you get this consistency. Dip a broad house-painting brush into the gesso and spread it evenly over the entire surface of the linen. Wait 6 to 8 hours for it to dry all the way, add another coat and wait another 8 hours.
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5
Sand the front of the canvas -- the opposite where you attached the smaller piece of canvas -- with a piece of fine grit sandpaper in small circular motions to make it smooth and free of any brush marks or tiny raised specks. Wipe away the dust with a piece of lint-free cloth and you are ready to begin painting.
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References
- Photo Credit Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images
