Okay it's time for another DIY project! I was getting nice and comfy with a wonderful book when I thought to myself, "What could I make that no one else has to offer?" Something fun and versatile that could speak for itself when standing alone, much like a piece of art does.
Wow. What a conundrum. Right? Trying to come up with an idea that hasn't been played out by EVERYONE. Something that could be created using my hands and my eyes. It's strange but as I fall asleep that's when I have my best ideas. I even have a book of ideas that I keep next to my bed! Easy access to write down the things that dreams are made of, right?
Brush strokes for the finish can be decided by you. I used a sweeping motion in circles out from each corner of the wood. It looks really nice up close!
So I have been working on these decoupaged pieces that are about the size of an 8 x 10. These are printed out portraits, usually in black and white that are glued to a piece of wood using Modpodge and then sealed with Modpodge on top. (There is an entire tutorial on this process earlier in the blog, if you're interested!) I pick out a paint color usually black, white or silver. I paint all sides of the wood first, except the front and then add the portrait after the paint has dried.
I wanted to create a project that would really stand out, something that would be bigger, better and speak louder. Something that could stand out from all of the same products I see floating around. Something NO ONE else will have. Something unique.
The next day I went out and bought some supplies and headed to the shop, i.e. my kitchen table. It's where all of the magic happens! I grabbed a portrait from a recent engagement session I had and started work on the process. Where the inspiration for the idea came from right here!
Supplies Needed: Wood. (I went to Lowe's and bought one large piece and had it cut into squares) Your choice in color for the paint. (I used black) A printed out photo in a large size on paper. I got an engineer's print from Kinko's in a 3x4 foot size. Mod Podge. A few different sized brushes for the glue. A brayer brush. (Purchased from Michael's craft store) Tracing Paper to map out where your portrait will lay on the wood. A T-square ruler and a 90 degree angle ruler. Your time, and your hands.
I used the same process that I found online a year ago to create these. The difference between the two projects is:
1: This project was done using a square format (1:1), just like an Instagram picture, instead of your typical negative size which has an aspect ratio of 4:3, 3:2, or 16:9.
2: The project's final dimensions are 3 feet wide by 2 feet long.
3: This project can be displayed in several ways.
You can hang the pieces separately, or together. You can space them out as much or as little as your heart desires.
The spacing is what creates the piece because you have so many different options for displaying the finished product!
You could create as big of a piece of art as you wanted! Literally all you would have to do is add some squares!
OR you could create a custom wall set-up with several different square options. Meaning you could use several pictures to create an entire wall full of work from one session. You could do different sizes to make a really neat collage. (That's another project for another day!)
The final details such as painting the sides still need to be done, as well as putting one last sealing coat on top. The last coat will produce an almost crackled look. It will add some nostalgia to the piece and will protect the portrait from.
Guess what the best part is about all of this?
YOU CAN DO THIS YOURSELF!
It's a relatively inexpensive project totaling out around $100. You will need up to 1 week depending on how determined you are to finish the project. So a little sweat, and some determination will get you a pretty amazing finished product.
The end result will be a custom piece of artwork that can be hung in any room. Its archival quality will withstand the test of time because of the final finish applied and the way the portrait is sealed. The finished size of this piece of artwork will hang in a 3 foot by 2 foot space. I am still deciding how I would like to display this, any opinions are gladly welcome!
I am pretty proud to step back and look at this really awesome custom piece and say "I did that!" Hope you enjoyed reading along today and I'll catch up with you soon with my next Do It Yourself Project! LIVE.LAUGH.PHOTO. <3 Ariel