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March 24, 2021 2 Comments

DIY Canvas Painting with an Actual DIY Canvas

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Here’s a tutorial for creating your own DIY Canvas Painting beginning with a DIY Oversized Canvas made out of a $15 drop cloth. This project is a very budget-friendly way to make high-end-looking custom art.

DIY Canvas Painting. Make a DIY oversized canvas from a drop cloth and then paint it to your liking.

How to make a DIY Canvas Painting

I’ve made DIY art several times before. I made this DIY abstract piece on plywood a couple of years ago. I’ve done some oversized DIY Typography Art and then of course the beach print that was hanging in the spot on the wall prior to the swap was a photo snapped by yours truly. After living in this home for over a year, I kept looking at this wall and felt like it needed something more impactful above the sofa. I had been playing around with the idea of a DIY canvas painting for a few weeks but was unsure how I’d tackle it. I’d painted plywood before but for the size I wanted, I thought that would be too heavy. Canvas was a great option until I started pricing actual canvases. Even the lowest quality canvases in the largest size cost upwards of $75 and the largest size I found still wasn’t going to be big enough. It dawned on me that we could build our own canvas and paint it so that’s what we did. Today, I’m sharing exactly how we did it.

How to Build a Canvas
The canvas we created is super budget-friendly because it’s made from a drop cloth and 1x2s.
Supplies you’ll need:
4×8 Drop Cloth
(4) 6ft 1x2s
Brad Nailer with 1in brad nails
Staple Gun

The first step is to figure out the size canvas you’d like to make. The final measurement for the oversized canvas we built was 36×60. Matt cut the 1x2s to frame out the canvas. Here were cuts: (2) 60 in boards and (4) 35 in boards. We loosely laid them out like above. We did not worry about accurately space the support pieces because none of this would be seen once the drop cloth went over it.

We started putting together the canvas frame by attaching the four outer sides.

First, add a bit of wood glue to the edge then securing it with the brad nailer.

You’ll notice that we attached the supports with the widest part facing out instead of the on its side like we did the outer pieces of the frame. We thought that this would give allow the dropcloth a little more tautness to prevent it from sinking in. To do this, we took a scrap piece of wood and placed it underneath to get it level with the outer frame, and used the brad nailer to secure it.

The frame was all done and now it’s time to stretch the drop cloth over top to create the canvas.

Right out of the packaging, the drop cloth was pretty wrinkled (not pictured) so I took the time to iron it before we started to attach it to the frame. Since it’s stretched quite a bit over the frame, I’m not 100% sure it was necessary but it’s what I did.

To begin stretching the drop cloth over the frame start by laying the canvas down on the ground with the frame over the top. You’ll start in the middle of one of the long sides, stapling the drop cloth to the frame. For this part of the project, it’s helpful to have an extra set of hands.

DIY Large Scale Canvas Painting

You’ll start in the middle, fold about two inches of fabric over the frame, and staple, working your way out to either side stapling every inch or so. Try to keep the fabric relatively even so it doesn’t go wonky when you get to the sides. You’ll want to be sure to leave about two inches or so on either end to make the corner folds.

DIY Large Scale Canvas Painting

After you’ve completed the first side, move to the second long side, again, starting in the middle then working your way out. This is when it’s helpful to have an extra set of hands. I held the fabric taut on the one side while Matt tugged and stapled on the other side.

DIY Large Scale Canvas Painting

Do the same on the two shorter sides making sure to pull it really snug before stapling the final side. Once all four sides are secure, you should see that the drop cloth is on there really tightly with no slack at all. Now it’s time to fold the corners. This takes a little effort.

DIY Large Scale Canvas Painting

You’ll take the extra fabric that is gathered in the corners here to create a nice fold then staple. This will make your sides nice and crisp. This is really hard to explain with words but hopefully, the photos above help you understand better how to make this corner fold. Hold up the corner fabric with one hand. Gently move your fingers closer to the corner, pinching the fabric together until the pinch of your fingers lines up with the top of the wood of the frame. Then, fold the fabric over.

canvas diy project

Staple the corners to hold down the fold. Do that on all four corners and cut away any excess fabric.

How to make a giant canvas DIY project

Now you can stand it up and admire your work! Kidding, now it’s time to paint – this is a DIY canvas painting, after all.

Of course, at this point, you can do whatever painting you’d like but I’ll share with you what I did next to give you some inspiration if you’re interested.

large scale canvas diy project

The fabric of the drop cloth, while thick, does not have a super tight weave so if you were to paint directly on it, it would probably need several coats. I planned on adding some texture to my painting from the beginning so I first added a layer of joint compound. I’m really glad I did because I think it really helped with the overall look of the painting.

How to make a large scale canvas

With a two-inch-wide putty knife, I smeared the joint compound all over the canvas. I was really liberal with the joint compound. Leaving some thicker lines of it in places and keeping it a little clearer in other spots.

How to Paint a large scale canvas

After the joint compound dried, I came back with some dark blue paint. I just used these foam brushes because it’s what I had on hand. I painted the entire canvas with a layer of blue.

DIY Large Scale Canvas Painting

After a layer of blue, I painted over it with a layer of white. Then another layer of a light beige-y white. Several times I came back with the previous color to add a little more in some spaces until I got a layered base that I really liked. After that, I added the loopy swirls. I used a small paintbrush and just free-handed the loops. My first attempt at this, I didn’t like so I painted over it again with the beige-y white and started over with the loopy swirls and that time I got it right. It was just perfect and it was finished.

We framed the canvas using this DIY canvas frame tutorial. The only difference is, this time we used the brad nailer to actually attach the canvas to the frame instead of allowing it to just fit snugly around.

DIY Large Scale Canvas Painting

We used a combination of these two stains. First applying the stain Special Walnut, followed up Sunbleached.

DIY Large Scale Artwork

In the photo above you can see the Special Walnut before adding the Sunbleached on the bottom there. On the top, the Sunbleached color has been applied on top of the Special Walnut stain.

I’m so thrilled with how it turned out. This painting is so perfect in this space. It elevates the entire room and I had no idea how much we needed this.

A DIY Canvas Tutorial - How to make your own large scale artwork
This DIY Canvas Painting Tutorial shares how to actually make a DIY Canvas. Budget friendly large scale art that you can create yourself.
DIY Canvas Painting Tutorial
DIY Canvas Budget friendly large scale art that you can create yourself.

For your convenience, this post may contain affiliate links. That means, at no additional cost to you, I may make a small commission on your purchase. Click here to read my full disclosure policy

This DIY Canvas Painting Tutorial shares how to actually make a DIY Canvas. Budget friendly large scale art that you can create yourself.

Have you ever done a project like this before? I’d love to hear about it. I’d love for you to share this on Pinterest or Instagram. You can follow me: @makinghomebase. You can also just send this link to someone you think will enjoy it! I appreciate you sharing my projects!

You can also check out my other DIY art projects below:

DIY Abstract Art

DIY Abstract Art from Plywood

DIY Pull Down Chart Wall Art-8

DIY Wall hanging from Wrapping Paper

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About Chelsea

Chelsea Coulston is the resident decorator, baker, and pillow hoarder around these parts. A wife to an active duty Sailor and mom of two girls, Chelsea's got a knack for decorating even the most challenging spaces (just see her military base house!) She's inspired by cool beach tones and warm natural elements that remind you of a day at the beach. After living in a half dozen rentals, she's enjoyed spending the last few years in a cute ranch style home that she and her husband have almost completely renovated themselves. Chelsea lives in sunny Jacksonville, Florida with her husband and two daughters.

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Comments

  1. Kait says

    March 26, 2021 at 2:25 pm

    Okay this is probably a really strange question, but when huge photo canvases were popular, I got one done with a now very-old photo. I’m wondering if I could paint over it?! We still have it in our closet, but it would make the perfect sized piece of art!

    Reply
    • Chelsea Coulston says

      March 28, 2021 at 12:34 pm

      Kait, I bet you could do that easily! I can’t see why not.

      Reply

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Hi! I’m Chelsea!

I'm Chelsea. Wife to Matt, and mama to P and Millie. I'm a fan of making and decorating things and everything blue + white. I believe that there is no such thing as too many throw pillows. Lover of iced coffee and cocktail Fridays. I'm glad you're here.

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It’s been a whole year since my dining my room l It’s been a whole year since my dining my room looked like this. It’s been a long year, hasn’t it? This space is regularly filled with books and school supplies and two giggling girls. I don’t know if we ever go back to normal from here but there’s a lot from this time that I want to take with me in to the future. How about you? 
Linked everything on @liketoknow.it 

http://liketk.it/3cXlF #liketkit #LTKhome #serenaandlily #potterybarn #rentalliving #howirent #howihome #milspouse #bhgstylemaker #homedecorinspiration #coastalliving
My kids fight all day long but when the time comes My kids fight all day long but when the time comes for them to go to sleep they snuggle up in the same bed and it gives me allll the mama feels. It’s getting pretty tight on the top bunk with them squeezed into a twin but they never complain.

The dots on the wall are little decals for a faux wallpaper look. We love them. I linked them and everything else from the girls room on @liketoknow.it http://liketk.it/3cpo9 #liketkit #LTKkids #howihome #bhgstylemaker #kidsspaces #militaryhousing #milspouse #howirent #rentaldecorating @liketoknow.it.home @liketoknow.it.family
So many things happening today. Got my Covid shot So many things happening today. Got my Covid shot (🥳🥳🥳) and wrote a blog post. I want a prize. Kidding. Finally wrote all about that sconce hack. Rental friends - go to the blog and pin it for later! #rentalfriendly #howihome #sconcelighting #diyprojects #howirent #milspouse #militaryhousing
I think it’s safe to say that my favorite rental I think it’s safe to say that my favorite rental hack is temp wallpaper. I have a version of it in four rooms now. This one is my favorite, I think! #howirent #milspouse #basehousing #bhghome #howihome
My ideas do not always work out but this one did! My ideas do not always work out but this one did! I’m really proud of the way the canvas turned out. It was really fun to be creative in this way. I think this completely transformed our living room in such a great way. This is military base housing guys. Base housing. I almost don’t believe it myself... swipe to see the giant canvas we made before I painted it and our living room before! Also I added everything to @liketoknow.it if you are looking for sources! http://liketk.it/3b1lr @liketoknow.it.home #LTKhome #kismetcheckoutmyhouse #diylookforless #howirent #abmathome #howihome #basehousing #milspouse
Rudy turned 5 last month and I was reminded of how Rudy turned 5 last month and I was reminded of how crazy I was to get a puppy while v pregnant with Millie. Also, he wanted a permanent spot in the feed. Happy Saturday.

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