HOW-TO MAKE A PHOTO CANVAS

This Mother’s Day we were running a little low on cash and high on creativity. My sisters and I came up with the idea of turning our favorite family photo into a gorgeous portrait by transferring it on a blank canvas we had lying around the house. The process was simple and the result was fantastic! This is a great gift/decoration idea for any occasion. Here’s what you'll need:

Supplies:

Canvas (mine was 11x14”)

Gel Medium

Paint Brush

Mod Podge (I used matte; gloss works too depending on the type of finish you want)

Picture (printed on regular computer paper)

Old Rag

Step 1:

Take your canvas and apply a generous, even coat of the gel medium using the paintbrush. If your picture is large enough and you want it to cover the sides of the canvas, make sure and coat the sides of the canvas with gel medium as well so that the image will transfer to the sides.

Step 2:

Center the photo onto the canvas. You have little wiggle room once the canvas touches the gel, so try your best to get it right. If you have to move it try and do it as quickly as possible! Once centered wrap the edges of the picture around the sides of the canvas.

Step 3:

Gently rub out any bubbles and creases on the canvas with your hands. You want to be through with this process so that every inch of the gel medium covers the paper for the best possible transfer. Once that’s done, the hard part… waiting 24 hours for it to dry.

24 Hours Later.....

Step 4:

Now that it’s dry we can start the fun part, revealing your picture! Lightly dampen the rag with water and begin to gently rub the paper off the canvas. The paper will start to tear away revealing your picture, but make sure not to rub too hard or you’ll rub away the image. Feel free to alternate between the rag and your hand.  Repeat this process as many times as necessary.

*Note- you can expect an imperfect transfer! No need to worry, the imperfections give the portrait a vintage ‘wear and tear’ look that’s quite lovely!

Step 5:

Once you’ve removed all the paper off your canvas and let it dry for a few minutes, add a thin layer of the Mod Podge over the canvas to secure the image and add a matte or gloss finish, depending on what type you choose. Let that dry for a few hours and voilà you have created a beautiful masterpiece!

It was the perfect gift and my mother's reactions was priceless! :) 

If you decide to create this for yourself, send me a picture. I’d love to see how yours turn out!

 xo, SC