Distressed Picture Canvases

This a project my friend Abby taught me how to do. Very simple once you get going.
***This has been improved and revised as of 12/14/2010***


Here are some other projects I have done using this method:
Distressed Alphabet Art Tutorial for Jessica from Happy Together
Tulip Canvases
Hot Wheels project
Bike canvas - to salvage any canvases that may have not worked the first time!

OK...Let's get started!

Materials:
canvas
 blown up photo
 foam paint brush (like you use for toll paint)
 a plastic card - like a credit card, or brayer
 spray bottle of water
 gel medium - glossy medium weight
        it will likely look something like this:

I got mine from Michael's. It is the priciest part of this project {$13} so use a coupon if you can. It also lasts a long time. I have made over 10 canvases of various sizes and still have some left.

1. Blow up a high resolution photo to the size of canvas you want to use. I couldn't find a printer to do it larger than 11x14 unless I wanted to pay over $20 per print. I am frugal so I went with 11x14 and got a print for $1. You can do black and white or color. Either works great, just make sure the printer uses toner to print it so it will transfer to the canvas. Also...make sure you pick an image you don't mind being reversed because it will transfer that way {or reverse it in photoshop before printing}. You print shop may be able to do this for you as well but some charge extra for it.


***Please note:  You can ONLY use 20 pound white copy paper. No gloss, NO cardstock, NO photo paper. The paper that works best is the cheap, basic stuff.


My print shop used a photo quality copy paper once. That worked okay too. Just make sure it isn't a high gloss paper or thicker than regular printer/copier paper.

 * This image is from my tutorial for Happy Together so it kind of jumps ahead.

 

2. "Paint" the canvas with gel gloss medium. Give it a nice even, generous coat. If you spread it too thin the image transfer won't be as predictable. If you spread it too thick the same thing can happen and it can look bad - trust me. I know. :)

3. Lightly spritz the blown up photo with water and place it picture side down onto the canvas. Use the credit card to smooth the paper out and push out any bubbles.  Just take the straight edge and stroke it from the center out to the edges. Having done it more than a few times I actually prefer to just use my fingers now. Do what works for you.

Let it dry overnight or for several hours - think 4+ hours. It needs to be completely dry for the image to transfer well. 

4. Spray the paper until you can see the image through the wet paper. Pull of the paper very slowly. Rub the remaining paper off as much as you can until the paper is gone and all that remains is the image. As you can see, the image can come off with the paper so be gentle. Let it dry. I find an hour or so is plenty.

5. Repeat the process. You will think you have rubbed all the paper off but when it dries you will realize you definitely have a ways to go. I repeat the process about 2-3 times until I can see the image almost completely clear. I still have a very light film of paper left when I consider myself done. I don't like to risk losing too much of the image.

Let it dry completely.

6. Paint the canvas with the gel gloss medium. You can also use triple thick or mod podge to protect the image. Let it dry.

This is a great project you can pick and put down...because well you have to. :) So if you only have five minutes here and there to craft, this is great for that.

EXTRA TIPS:

I have mentioned some of this before. But is doesn't hurt to say it again...

I suggest that you only use images that lend well to a distressed look. I have never had one transfer not have SOME image rub off...no matter how much I was careful. When I apply a nice even, and generous layer I have better luck, but I haven't had a 100 % perfect one yet.

I use my fingers to rub the paper off but I have had a reader report success with using a damp sponge.

Remember: You MUST use regular copy paper with an image printed on it in laser toner. Other inks will not work . 

You must use gel medium. There are no other substitutions that I know of.

I hope that answers any questions you may have. Feel free to email me if you have more.

Have fun!

Updated:
You can now purchase the materials to make this project through Amazon.com, which should help take some of the guess work out. Click below to learn how: