I am so excited to share this easy and beautiful tutorial for to make your own DIY Canvas Photos from inexpensive craft supplies!! I finally set aside the time and put a picture of the girls on canvas for Graham for Father’s Day. It was such a quick and easy project and I think the results are super cool.
The supply list is short:
canvas
photograph (same size as canvas)
MATTE mod podge
scrapbook paper
acrylic paint
First, cut strips of scrapbook paper to fit each side of the canvas. It’s easiest if the strips are just slightly shorter and narrower than the sides. Apply mod podge liberally and glue strips on each side Glue the photograph to the top of the canvas. You can lay your project on wax paper so that it doesn’t stick to your work space while drying. Allow to dry completely.
Then, apply a coat of mod podge over the entire surface, the edges and the picture. Allow to dry completely again. It will look milky at first, but will dry clear. I used photos printed at Costco; they held up well and the ink didn’t smudge or anything wonky like that.
Okay, so after it’s all dry, use a sponge or cloth to dab on acrylic paint to cover any spaces between side paper strips and the photograph. I also liked the look of smudging up the corners. The paint adds a little texture that I like, too.
I only got a quick snapshot of Graham’s picture before we wrapped it up and now it resides at his office.
I made a couple more canvas pictures for Addie’s room with my favorite pictures from her birthday. I usually prefer black and white photos, but I did these in color because I love how the coloring coordinates perfectly in her bedroom. Rather than the black acrylic paint, I mixed a metallic bronze, medium brown, and metallic black and dabbed that around the edges and corners. It took me a couple tries to get the right color combination, but since the mod podge was well dried, I was able to rub off the unwanted paint with a damp sponge – foolproof! You gotta love that.
This is one of those immediate gratification projects. Each step literally takes less than a minute, and the mod podge dries fairly quickly (e.g., less than 30 minutes). You can have your canvas photo project done and on display in no time at all!
I like it, I think I’m going to go for a big ‘ol picture next.
PLEASE ALSO READ: CANVAS PHOTOS DIY REVISITED
Comments & Reviews
Anonymous says
Love this idea!
Shaper of Little Souls says
Question: Why even use Mod Podge? Why not just glue it to the canvas and be done? I am so afraid of ruining it with the wet Mod podge.
Sherri Bailey says
LOVE that you did this in color to match her room. So beautiful.
I featured you on Momcaster: http://momcaster.com/2012/06/01/transfer-photos-to-canvas/#
Anonymous says
This is the best and easiest way to make beautiful canvas prints. I paint the canvas whatever color matches best where I will hang the photo. I then mod podge the canvas where I set the pic and let it dry then I put a layer of mod podge ontop. Once dry, I kinda sandpaper the edges of the pic and I staple ribbon on the top of the back, tie a bow and hang them.
Anonymous says
I finally finished mine this morning. I think that the next time I’m not going to buy the cheapest canvas I can find. The edges were not square and it altered how everything fit. But I love this and it was so easy to do.
Anonymous says
I tried this and love it but I used a black and white photo and from putting mod podge on the photo it turned it yellow!!..what did I dod wrong??
Anonymous says
You are so creative – amazing. Just a question – were the photos laser prints or inkjets? Thanks for replying
Ashleigh says
Found you on Pinterest! This is awesome! I can’t wait to look around your blog more!
Your newest follower,
Ashleigh @ Live Gorgeously
BDL Palash says
I have got to say I did this for a school project
even before finding this trend online. I use two Picasso paintings from his
blue period. This has inspired me to post them later on, and maybe create some more. 🙂
I loved the Mondrian one by the way. Very clever!
Pictures to paintings
photos to paintings
photo to painting
picture to painting
painting from photo
Anonymous says
I made my two mother day gifts and love them! Had an issue with the edges of the scrapbook paper coming up on the edges but was fine when the project was all complete. More I will be doing for ME!
Anonymous says
I love them! I can’t wait to try this myself!
Kaylyn says
So cute and easy. I really like adding that little touce of paint on the egdes and corners added that little something more to it.
Karen says
Hi! I tried this the other day and I loved how it turned out! To glue my picture onto the canvases I used a glue tape, and instead of using scrapbook paper, I just painted the sides… I loved how it turned out! Thanks so much for sharing this! Would it be ok if I shared the link to this tutorial on my blog?
Anonymous says
Do I put Mod Podge on the canvas then the photos then more mod podge?
Anonymous says
Today, Made 3: 11/14 canvas/pics, shots of my daughters No CAL Beach Wedding. Beautiful. I noticed they were bubbling a bit when I first glued the pics down so i took some wax paper, spread it out (also helped with beging able to really smooth down the pictures) and then I put some books on top of the picture for about 20 minutes. Everything was nice & flat, only had glossy modgepodge on hand, looks fine. Strokes are much more pronounced with the glossy so rather than brushing flat I did brush stroke marks all over the pictures. Looks GREAT! Thanks so much for the lovely tutorial! I’m off and running going to do several more…