One of my all time favorite project ideas from Pinterest is making your own photo canvas. I LOVE photos and using them as home decor so this is the perfect project for me.
After doing this project several times and making some mistakes, I’ve found a method that works really well and looks more realistic.
Today I’ll show you how to do it!
DIY Realistic Photo Canvas
Supplies:
Photo and canvas of the same size
Black (or any color you choose) acrylic paint
Small foam paint brush
Mod Podge (matte version)
Small foam roller (like this one)
Now For The Project!
Months ago I printed out this Dated Design Wall Art as a picture (since I don’t have a color printer) so my picture for the project will look similar to this:
Instructions:
1) Paint the sides and part of the front of the canvas with black acrylic paint like you see in the picture below. Wait for the paint to fully dry. Honestly I’d wait until the next day to do the rest of the project to make sure the paint won’t bleed onto the photo.
2) Once the paint is fully dry, trim the edges of the photo so it will fit on the canvas.
3) Using the foam brush (not the roller) put a thin layer of Mod Podge over the top of the canvas. Place photo on top of wet Mod Podge. Gently press the photo down onto the canvas. This will glue the photo to the canvas.
4) Brush another thin layer of Mod Podge over the picture and sides of the canvas. It’s a little scary “painting” over a picture, but trust me it will dry clear. The wet Mod Podge on top of the picture will create a “milky” look like this:
5) After covering the whole picture and sides of the canvas, take the DRY foam roller and roll over the Mod Podge slowly to create a “matte” effect. Be careful not to create “bubbles” in the Mod Podge like this :
If you’ve got bubbles using the dry roller, you have too much Mod Podge on the picture and or the roller. Take a little off and try again. This is what it should look like wet; a little “texture” but no bubbles.
6) Set the canvas on a sheet of wax paper and let dry.
This is what my project looked like dry.
Then hang and enjoy!
Now it’s your turn. Do you use personal pictures for home decor?
This post linked to Inspire Me Please Weekend Blog Hop
Love it. I did something not as nice but easier. I just printed my dates on paper and framed it. I do like the canvas version better, but have been hesitant to try it out. Thanks for sharing your success!
Christa recently posted…Mother’s Day Ideas
Sure–glad you liked it! I was also hesitant to put Mod Podge over a perfectly good photo but it totally works! You could practice on a photo that’s not too sentimental first. That way you’ll be more confident the next time. Thanks so much for stopping by!
This looks great! Did you print your photo on photo paper or regular copy paper? I can’t wait to try!
I had the picture printed out at Walgreens just like a regular photo. I think it would be better to print it out on something thicker like photo paper but I’ve only done this with actual photos. Good luck and let me know how it turns out!
Hi Carrie, I, too, have been experimenting with making my own photo canvas. I have a roller like you show but in the two attempts I have made at this they have been smaller photos so I have just used a small sponge brush. Next I will be doing 16×20. Can you reuse the sponge roller or do you have to buy a new one each time? Also, do you spray anything over the canvas when it is all done? Thanks in advance! Dawn
Dawn–Yes I’ve reused the sponge roller multiple times. The key is getting all the Mod Podge cleaned out right away before it dries. I just take the roller off the handle and rinse it with warm water. I don’t spray anything over the canvas. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Love this idea! thanks for sharing!
Jenna @ http://rainonatinroof.com
You’re welcome! I’m so glad you liked it. Thanks for stopping by, Jenna
I absolutely love this! I have some wedding pictures I am going to do this with. Or maybe I’ll do this with our wedding vows….. Thanks for the awesome tutorial!
This would be PERFECT for wedding photos and or vows! If you end up doing that I’d love to see it! Thanks for stopping by!
Wow! I really like that! thanks for sharing!
Jordan Sparks recently posted…Frugal, Crafty Home Blog Hop #14
Thanks, Jordan! It was a lot of fun to do
Awesome project! I am not crafty at all so I am grateful for the step by step tips and the pictures!
Kathryn recently posted…Wired Word: Faith from an Electrician
I’m not that crafty, either
I do much better on a project with pictures! Thanks so much for stopping by!
oy! I love modpodge! Id love for to share this over at our little party!
http://www.lifewelive4.com/2013/03/love-it-list-it-linky-party-2.html
:Laura:
I’m glad to see I’m not the only one who LOVES Mod Podge! Thanks so much for stopping by and for the link invite–I’ll link up soon!
Nice! I ‘m pinning, love it! Visiting from the Liz Marie Linky party, I hope you can drop by and checkout my Pottery Barn Knock-off of the Beaded Eggs!
Becky @ Posh Pink Giraffe
Great! I’m so glad you liked it! I’ll be checking out your post soon. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Great job! I just learned about “ModPodge” a few months ago and it has changed my life in so many ways….ok it’s really only changed in the way I do crafting, but still. Where do you get the foam roller? I’ve always just used a brush.
Mod Podge has changed my life too
I’ve only used it for this project–what do you use it for?
To answer your question I found the foam roller in the paint section of Walmart. It really makes all the difference! Thanks for stopping by!
Well done!
Thanks Megan