Create Your Own Textured Art

 I wanted to share with you a really simple tutorial on creating your 

own art piece using some paper 

napkins & a gallery wrapped stretched canvas.

I'm always on the lookout for pretty paper napkins... we use linen napkins a lot at home 

but when I see some of the gorgeous paper ones I'll buy them for craft ideas...

and this one is too easy!

 Now I must warn you this napkins obsession is addictive...perhaps because I can never

find the same pattern twice...so if you find some you fall in love with buy them straight away!

For this you will need -

*Paper napkins

*Gallery Wrapped Stretched Canvas (this is the stretched 

canvas that has the deep 2inch sides) make sure it is smaller

than your napkin size!

We will be creating a plaster like effect on each side of the canvas

and for this you will need either -

*Impasto Medium or Molding/Modelling Paste 
 

*Pallet knife or small spatula & a medium sandpaper
 

*Large paintbrush (I prefer to use a soft synthetic 1" square brush)
 
*Gel or Matt Medium (I like to use matt as there is no shine)
 
*Acrylic Paint

Preparing Your Canvas  

 

To achieve the rough plaster effect on the sides of your canvas,

start in the corners where the canvas is folded over, fill the fold and spread

the impasto or molding paste around the corners.

Continue spreading it along the sides until all the edges have been covered.

Don't be too precious with this step, it is meant to look rough!
 

If you would like to display your canvas standing up on a shelf like I do, don't apply
too much paste to the bottom edge of your canvas!

You may have to repeat this step 2-3 times to achieve the look you want

and make sure you allow it to dry well between layers.

Basically you want to round off all the hard edges.

For the final coat of molding paste I like to use a square 1" brush and bring some of
the molding paste to the face of the canvas concentrating on the front four corner areas. 

Once dry give a very light sand.

Preparing Your Napkin 

 

Open your napkin out and give it a quick iron to smooth out the folds.

Separate the sheets of the napkin - you only want the printed one.

Now it's time to decide where you want the napkin design placed on your canvas.

Glueing

 

Spread the matt or gel medium over the entire face of the canvas using your paintbrush.

Gently lay the napkin on top and press into place. You need to be
careful not to tear the napkin, but don't panic if you do you can easily glue it down again.
Slight wrinkles on the surface are fine and add to the character.

Leave the napkin to hang over the edges (don't glue these down), these will 
be sanded off later.

Sanding

 

Once completely dry you can go ahead and gently sand off the napkin edges.

I like it to look slightly worn so sand away any areas of napkin to achieve 
your desired effect.

Painting

 

Now your ready to age your canvas as much as you want.
You could even add a crackle medium effect at the stage too!

Mix some acrylic paint to co-ordinate with your napkin design and paint
along all the sides. Once dry, dry brush some lighter paint onto the sides & the
front as well. This will highlight all those lovely textures you have created.

Et voila....your very own piece of unique art!

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