High-end artwork
Creating this artwork was a fun 1-2 hour project with 3-5 day cure time. Best part is it required zero power tools.
With a trip to the hardware store and up cycling an old canvas picture or painting, you can knock this project out for $20 - $40 depending on if you already own some of the materials.
Now, are you ready to create this project with me? Don’t worry, I’ll explain every detail. This project is a quick one!
WITHIN THIS BLOG
⬇️ Photos of the artwork
⬇️ “How-to” instructions
⬇️ Links to supplies
Glamour shots
How-to Make it Yourself
Materials needed
You will need the following items:
3-4 32 oz Lightweight spackling (brand doesn’t matter)
Brand doesn’t matter - use something around 2-4 inches or whatever you already own. You could actually use a cooking spacula. The puddy knife in the link is closer to what I own, which is a higher quality knife made of steel.
1 up cycled canvas around 24'‘ x 36”
You can do this project on any canvas size, the amount of needed spackling will change depending on the canvas size.
If you don’t have from from a previous purchase that you want to repurpose, try garage sales or Good Will—I bet you could snag one for a really good price! Hobby Lobby typically has some in the clearance section (canvas with other prints on them).
The canvas I reuse for this project was 24'‘ x 36” and had a floater frame (26” x 38” measuring with frame). A floater frame is when the canvas doesn’t touching the sides of the frame, but it attached in the back. There are plenty of DIY blog tutorials online to learn how to add a floater frame to your canvas.
If you already own the trowel, buddy knife, painters tape, spray paint (of any color), and you’re using an old canvas, then this project can be completed for about $20 (spackling). Otherwise you’re looking at something around $40 depending on brand of items you choose.
Step 1
Of your canvas has a frame, tape it off using painters tape to protect it from the spackling and the spray paint.
If you want to paint the frame, I suggest you do that before this step (let the frame dry for a day to ensure the paint has hardened).
Step 2
Apply the spackling. You can plop all 3 containers of the spackling (you may need 4) and start to evenly disperse it with the puddy knife.
Step 3
Add texture to your spackling with your puddy knife using criss cross technique - have fun with it! This is art, so there’s no right or wrong way. If you don’t like the pattern you are creating, then smooth it out and try again.
Pro tip: Make sure you’ve done the criss cross pattern far enough down where the rainbow will go over it. Otherwise you’ll have some gaping between the criss cross and rainbow pattern.
Step 4
Once you’ve got the criss cross pattern on the top of your canvas, it’s time to use the trowel to create the rainbow pattern (the right side rainbow on the canvas first). View the video at the top of this section to see me do this step.
Hold the trowel steady at the bottom of the canvas, and try to stay as straight as possible while moving upward. Once you are at the top of the rainbow, hold the left side of the trowel in place and move the right side in a circular motion for 180 degrees to create the top of the rainbow. After the top of the rainbow is completed, come straight down to complete the shape.
Pro tip: Don’t sweat it if you mess up - I redid it 3 times. If you don’t like your rainbow, smooth the spackling back out and go back to step 3.
Step 5
Now that you are a rainbow expert, it’s time to add your half-rainbow on the left side of the canvas. Start at the top of the rainbow, place the trowel vertically to the canvas at whatever height you want this rainbow. You’ll keep the left side of the trowel still while you move the right side in a circular motion for 90 degrees. This will create the top of the rainbow, then move straight down to complete the end of the rainbow.
Step 6
Cure time! We want to ensure the spackling is completely dried before we spray paint the canvas. Wait anywhere from 3-5 days depending on the spackling thickness and type. When you touch it, the sparkling should feel firm.
Pro tip: If you test it out too early, and create a hole with your finger, just use more spackling to cover the hole.
Step 7
You have been so patient! Now it’s time to paint the canvas!
Take the canvas outside and spray paint it.
Protip: don’t spray one heavy coat. It’s better to have several light coats than a single heavy coat. Heavy coats tend to lead to drips, and drips aren’t cute. Let the canvas dry completely (paint can will list out the dry times). I did 4 coats to ensure I got an even color. Make sure to srpay at different angles by turning the canvas so you can ensure your getting color in all the edges and valleys.
If you have an old sheet or blanket, make it your painting tool! I reuse this old sheet for all of my projects. It protects the grass from the overspray.
Step 8
Remove the painters tape on the frame and hang! Give yourself a huge pat on the back, you are done!
Congrats
Thanks for sticking with me through this quick DIY project! I hope you enjoyed this blog post. Please email me (or DM me on social media) if you have any questions or thoughts.
I’d love to see your projects in process and completed! Tag me on social media @withinthesehands to share.
I’ve got some fun projects heading your way. You can sign up here to receive an email when a new blog post is published.
Until next time 👋🏼
Linked items from images
Here are all the links from the above photos. I am not endorsed by any of these companies. I just love sharing what I find. Happing shopping!
