Large Canvas Wall Art
My living room makeover was shared a while back and I know many of you were very curious to learn how I made the LARGE canvas wall art.
Yep, you can’t miss it.
A piece like this is certainly a statement! It makes my beige room look alive with color and more expensive. Not only does artwork cost a lot, but even just buying a canvas this size (it measures about 90″ long!) would cost an artist more than $300
. Well, I’m frugal and could not see spending money on something I could potentially do myself. Fortunately I have some artistic skills and a table saw so I was able to make this large canvas wall art!
So the first thing I did was find the longest 2 x 4 I had in my scrap wood pile at 89″ long. I used my table saw to slice it in half the long way so that I had 2 x 2 boards of that length.
Then I did the same with two other 2 x 4 boards that were a shorter length measuring 44″ long.
Next I drilled two screws into each end to connect all the boards together. I used my square about a million times and was sure to work on a flat surface. I also cut 45 degree angles on a few flat boards from that free pallet to use later as corner supports.
Next I brought the wood frame inside to the basement playroom and fired up my air compressor.
The “canvas” is actually a white window curtain. Remember the new white curtains in my living room makeover? Well, those LENDA curtains from IKEA came in packs of two panels, but I only needed three. This is what I did with the fourth panel.
Tip: Before laying down your fabric, make sure you iron it smooth!
I used my air compressor with the staple gun attachment to staple the fabric to the wood frame.
Be sure to staple one end and then its opposite so you pull the canvas very tight. Leave the corners for last.
All stapled up, the corners were bulky, but I did my best!
Then I stapled on the corner support to help the frame maintain stability.
I screwed little pieces of metal hardware to string a heavy duty wire through. I didn’t buy these, I hammered something flat I already had laying around my garage.
Sorry there’s not a picture, but at this point I went to Walmart and bought 10 ft of picture hanging wire and strung it through the black hardware across the back of the frame. This distributes the weight of the canvas (about 30 lbs!) across the wood and makes it easier to level when hanging on the wall (you just slide it along the wire).
This is snapshot from when I was in the process of painting. As you can see, the only place on the floor big enough and clear for me to work was in front of our patio door. In this photograph, you can see the frame through the canvas, but when it’s against the wall the fabric was not see through. If you are not feeling as artistic as me, Photowall has tons of murals you can purchase online and do this same process to display.
I used numerous materials to paint this piece: acrylic latex wall paint (the same I used to paint the coffee table and the beige from my living room walls), acrylic craft paint, some Plaster of Paris
added to my teal paint to give texture, and silver water soluble ink
to do the metallic drips you see below.
It took me about 11 hours to paint this piece, I had an idea envisioned for a long time. The horizontal and vertical lines are supposed to exemplify the way life shifts so often, taking you every which direction. I feel like my life has been like this since becoming a parent, that a young family can’t help but be pulled in different directions every day. Yet, the colors I chose for this painting are supposed to be very soothing. That is because building a family can feel like you’re lost and torn between this and that, but it also grounds you and settles you.
To me, this painting exemplifies life as a parent of young children, chaotic and cathartic at the same time.
Another close up of my large canvas wall art…
Thanks for reading!
Be sure to pin and share!
Very creative! I’m always looking for something to fill up giant blank walls in my house! But the prices on art work are so high! Plus I can never find just what I want. These are great ideas and the DIY canvas doesn’t look too difficult. Great job!! 🤗
My EXACT living room colors…wish you would sell this piece 🙁
Mona-
I am not opposed to recreating it or painting something custom for you. Email me at [email protected] if you are interested!
Melissa
Oh my gosh! I am in love with this! Would you be willing to make a canvas for our large wall? I love the colors you used and have been searching for something similar that won’t break the bank.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your art, your gray sofa, the color scheme! If I can be so bold to make an addition suggestion…spray that bronze planter on the coffee table and that blue lamp either silver or gold metallic. Maybe a throw pillow with both Turquoise and whatever metallic works for you….yeppers–magazine cover!
Thank you! Great suggestions! You know, the lamps I just redid and chose that blue color. It’s interesting you suggested I remove even more color from my living room because when I recently redecorated, I removed all the red and just kept the teal. Also, that planter is a handmade clay pottery piece my sister who is a free lance artist made. I would never spray paint professional pottery! It is wonderful to hear others suggestions, though so thank you for your input! Usually I do think spray paint improves everything lol.
great suggestions. Especially
the lamp idea.
Fabulous idea & love the way you painted it! You stated the brand of curtain, but what Type of curtain did you use? I have Lots of curtains. Do you think the (thin) rubber backed curtains would work? Or do they need to be plain cotton?? Maybe canvas or linen would work better? I haven’t tried painting pics yet, but I’d love to try it this way. Go big or ho home 😉
Thanks
Thanks for the compliment Fran! I believe this curtain is 100% cotton. I do not think rubber backed ones would work well, and yes painting on canvas or linen would work better. I’ve often seen people use canvas drop clothes as wall canvas and I think that looks great, too.
Hope to hear from you again. Enjoy painting!
Melissa
FYI – If you make another large canvas in the future, get the fabric a little wet before you stretch it. And by “wet,” I mean more than damp. It will make the canvas tighter for your next painting.
Also, to help your corners, use squares of thin particle board over the back. It just helps all of the folds stay down.
Excellent job! A canvas that size is pretty difficult!
GREAT TIPS! Thank you for commenting Liz! Awesome advice 🙂
What are the measurements of the whole canvas?
Hey Ana! The measurements are 91″ by 44″. Thanks for the question!
Hi,
I absolutely love this creation! Could you describe how you painted this? Did you paint the first layer and wait for it to dry before continuing?
Thank you Heather! I did do it in three stages to give it a more layered look. I did thicker brush strokes to form the base, let that dry. Then I used medium sized strokes of the base colors plus a few more accents. Let that dry. Then I came back in with details and a smaller brush, all the accent colors, and the metallic drips using water soluble inks. I’ve been contemplating making a tutorial in the future because so many people have enjoyed this painting style!
Melissa
I absolutely loved it. It’s awesome art. I been looking something big, not very pricey from last 3 years. Looked many sites, didn’t like anything. Will you able to make something like this for me. I will be very much appreciated.
I love your art work! What colors and brand of paints did you use and did you need to dilute them?
I wish you had a YouTube video of exactly how you painted this, I’m contemplating doing something for a huge bare wall in my living/dining room!
Thank you Martha! I mixed most of these color myself, you can read this post to get the gist: https://www.welcome-to-the-woods.com/how-to-mix-a-custom-paint-color/
These were all acrylic-based so I just used water to dilute them.
Good luck with your painting and hope you stop by my blog again some time!
Melissa
I want to buy a picture like this . Please tell me how much it cost! Thanks
I sent you an email Corina! Thank you for your interest!
NICE ! Would it matter what kind of material to use for the canvas? I love what you have done and want mine to look just as great!
I think a cotton fabric is best! You could purchase an inexpensive drop cloth or curtain like I did. Another tip I learned from a different reader: spray the fabric with water until it is damp not dripping. Then stretch and staple it onto the frame. Then when it dries, the fabric will be especially tight on the frame.
Good luck!
Melissa
You can buy duck cloth , Which is heavy cotton fabric,at Joanne’s Fabrics.. It is not expensive.
I’ve never heard of that Carol, thanks for the idea! I will look into it.
Melissa
I found the comments about the 100% cotton. I will wet it also. Love all the comments and how you answered them all completely! I just needed to read them!!
I stumbled on this old post of lg canvas mostly teal painting above the gray couch. It’s lovely for several reasons. I’ve read everything I can find except I didn’t see any instructions. Surely there are some how to tips. My email is [email protected] thank you Dawn
WOW THIS SO gorgeous!! Yes’ please do a tutorial
I would Love this try this painting, but would love to see you do it first. Amazing job!
Here’s a video tutorial I did on Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/Hometalk/videos/2443767652307443/
Thanks for the compliment Nancey!
Melissa
Melissa. This is the first time I have seen your work. It is amazing, you do beautiful work. I love it. What would you charge (about) to do one smaller at least half that size? I am really interested, that is if you do things to sell. Please think about it and let me know if it is something you consider doing. Thank you.
[email protected]
Thank you, LeAnn! I sent you a private email and hope to hear back from you!
Omg !! I can’t believe I am seeing this now !! I have been everywhere and searched every website I could find looking for s canvas piece of artwork for my HUGE wall ! Everything was so expensive in the size I needed !! I did find one with colors I needed ( that was the other problem … if I find a big enough piece , it wasn’t the right colors ) in a 3 piece canvas set but not sure if it is going to be big enough yet since I just ordered it ! I am Not crafty at all though so don’t think I could have done this anyway , but it is Gorgeous !!!!!
Thanks, Sheryl! I’m sure you can make the three-piece canvas set work, you can always add in two or four extra pieces and create a gallery wall with the 3 canvas to fill up the wall space. Hopefully, you will consider a method like this next time you need to fill a lot of wall space! It is very cost effective!
Melissa
Interested as well. Can you email me as well. At [email protected]
I’m sorry to say I’m not impressed. The painting is fine. Nice technique and the framing idea is terrific. But painting the coffee table to match (or vice versa? That just spells “hotel room decor” to me. This looks like a decorator’s nightmare. Better to leave the coffee table a light natural wood tone and add turquoise pulls to the drawers.
Thanks for your feedback Bret. You might be right there’s too much teal in my room. I am planning on getting a new coffee table and will consider your thought about natural wood. I wouldn’t do turquoise pulls though. I’ve never seen colored pulls that I liked before.
Melissa
I do love the colors. The teal reminds me of a beautiful ocean view, relaxing. Everyone’s color palette is not the same, if so every home would look like the other! Good job, I would love to try this technique!
Somewhere I heard you mention a rubber handled paint brush? (easier on the hands)Could you share the brand please? Thanks!
Yes! Penny, this is my favorite paint brush, the Wooster Shortcut. https://amzn.to/2wZjNpV (affiliate link). The rubber handle is comfortable so your hand doesn’t get nearly as tired and the precision/control is excellent. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
Melissa
Thank you 🙏🏻 kindly!!!!
Did you do something to “prime” your canvas? I see this is a couple of years old. How did the canvas hold up? Did it stay stretched tight, or did it loosen over time? Would you do it the same way today? It’s really beautiful, and would be so fun to paint! The cost of artist’s canvases that size is really prohibitive for us amateurs! Great work!
I did not prime my canvas, but if you felt that necessary, use gesso the same as you usually would for painting. The canvas has held up beautifully and still looks the same! It isn’t stretched perfectly tight, so if I were to do this project again I would take a few commenter’s suggestions and spray it damp before stretching it and stapling to the back. Good luck to you in trying this project and thank you for sending me your thoughts Donna!
One thing Brett this is Melissa’s home and she did it to suit her, not me you or John Doe. She showed how it was done, if a person doesn’t like it don’t do it.
Looks great! Love your colors. How did you do the silver drops/lines?
I used metallic water soluble ink and splattered it on, then tipped the canvas. Thank you for the compliment!! 🙂