I want to make a homemade canvas to paint a picture on. Actually I want to make three...

And the reason that I want to make it myself is so that I can customize the size, and it's cheaper...

Does anyone have any suggestions? :)

I would bleach some burlap and staple it into a wooden frame, but I've never done this before, so maybe someone else has a better idea?

Good luck!

I was thinking of something small... and thin.. I was thinking about buying some loose canvas and particle board... but that's not thin enough...

If this helps: I'm trying to make thin but sturdy canvasses to paint pictures on to sit in a picture holder sort of thing... I don't really know how to describe it... kinda like the things that hold plates on the wall...

Hmm... Maybe get some corrugated cardboard and then put a loose canvas on it?

That's kind of what I was thinking... but how to attach it? And I wouldn't think that the carboard would be sturdy enough to withstand the stretching of the canvas...

You can get some pretty thick cardboard boxes and cut them yourself with an exacto knife.. you can attach the one side with glue maybe?

I want something that will stand the test of time... I'm not sure that will... but not a bad suggestion.

Well generally canvasses that aren't treated with chemicals to keep their color and not deteriorate don't last a long long time... maybe plywood, but I'm not sure either.

I will put a seal over the paint... and gesso the canvas before beginning my project. Has anyone ever tried painting on glass?? I was also somewhat curious of how that works..

Actually I have painted on glass! The only thing that is different about painting on glass is that sometimes regular paint looks strange on it or doesn't stay put/stick, and you can get glass paint, but it is thicker and if left in a very dry dry place it can crack and peel. It comes with a very neat transparent effect, too depending on the paint you have and how you do it.

Hmmm... that could be an idea...

I could get some white matboard and gesso it and paint on that... I wonder if that would work!!

It's actually pretty fun, I did a decorative globe on a gumball machine with rainbow dots trailing each other and swirling, I had a paint bottle with a pointed tip, it's neat, they are very bright and vivid and shiny, and they are also transparent on the glass so you can see inside.

It might!

The good part is that even if it doesn't or you mess up, it's cheap and you can always try again! XD

That sounds cool... the only downside to that is that I don't want to be able to see through it...

Maybe I can make a picture by making yarn swirls with spare yarn on a piece of cardboard...

You could, I would invest in a very good glue though so they don't break off.

That's kinda what I was thinking...but how to attach it? And I wouldn't think that the carboard would be sturdy enough to withstand the stretching of the canvas...

Hi there!
Have you ever stretched canvas before? If you are working with a large size, you might want to keep in mind, it is best to put a brace inside the frame to make it more sturdy. When you pull it to stretch it, there is quite an amount of stress on the frame. Also, may I ask if you are wanting it to fit into a frame or to be a gallery wrap?

Okay, I'm not trying to be rude, but if you had read this thread, you would have all your answers.

It's small... No frame.

You could, I would invest in a very good glue though so they don't break off.
Definitely!!

I want to make a homemade canvas to paint a picture on. Actually I want to make three...

And the reason that I want to make it myself is so that I can customize the size, and it's cheaper...

Does anyone have any suggestions??:)
Here I am again with a suggestion. You might enjoy visiting the following thread ink:
https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/art/artist-you-133294-119.html

I believe the posting I was actually thinking of is a few pages earlier but I think you would enjoy this particular thread. Also, there was discussion a few days ago regarding stretching canvases. Hope to see you on the thread. As someone aptly put it, "This thread is developing into a beautifully woven tapestry!" Well, I may not have it word for word but the sentiment is the same. It is great... there are many threads on this site that are just amazing. This one is just one that I am most familiar with! :)

Okay, I'm not trying to be rude, but if you had read this thread, you would have all your answers.

It's small....No frame.

I believe you were addressing this to me, jrebel7? I do apologize for my post getting posted out of normal sequence. I was in the process of replying to your post and got interrupted. I guess I should have checked back and just deleted my post.

I only suggested the bracing for larger pieces not knowing how much experience you have in stretching canvas and just thought it might be some information you could file away for a later time. I had just gone through a learning experience a short time ago when I had a Giclee print on canvas stretched as a gallery wrap. The guy who stretched it for me, shared a lot of his knowledge as to size, bowing of frames if not careful, having a good sealer, etc. I was just trying to share that information with you. The question I had asked as to whether the pieces would be framed or gallery wrapped is a legitimate question whether the piece is 2 inches by 2 inches or 10 feet by 10 feet!

I certainly will be more careful in future postings and again, I did not mean to make you feel insulted thinking that I had not fully read the postings.

Good luck in your endeavor. I wish you the best of luck.

Thanks for the information... I actually just got exactly what I needed at Walmart for three dollars! Got to love Walmart!

Anybody want to know where to get the best, thick, corrugated cardboard that will last a long time if the question ever comes up about where to get the best corrugated cardboard?

Sure!

If you know a store that sells acoustic pianos, especially the pianos from the overseas countries, the cardboard that they pack them in is the best! It's even better than the cardboard in which appliances are shipped! Sometimes it's as much as an inch thick! I have never had to pay for it. I just ask music/piano store people if they will save some for me, or I might find it where they have already thrown it out. I have used it mainly for sets on stages. But, I could see it's practical use for things like picture frames and also crafts of other sorts. :)

NIce!! Thanks for the tip!

NIce!!!! Thanks for the tip!!

You are welcome! I am by no means an expert at doing visual art or crafty type things. But when I do it, I really get into it! Also really like to find the best materials for projects! :)

You should be able to buy some canvas fabric at a store like JoAnn fabrics but I think it might be expensive
Some art stores sell canvas by the yard too. You might have to ask though.
Or you could check somewhere that sells canvas for awning companies.

I have painted on mirrors before but you need the right paint or it could peel easily
I looked this up
Buy Glass & Tile Paint | Supplies | Glass & Tile Paint | Kits (http://www.misterart.com/store/browse/003/cat_id/5883/Craft-Supplies-Craft-Paint--Glass--Tile-Paint.htm)

home made canvas' seem difficult but truly are not. First your size must be determined and have wood cut to size. Usually wood that is 1/2 thick or so, the length of course depends on size. Then wood must be cut at angle where each end meets and I usually use my staple gun to hold the ends together. If you have scrap fabric at home, it can be used as long as it isn't super thick. I prefer cotton or muslin, something cheap! Starting on one side staple cloth to wood in the center. Do this to all sides. Then staple far right corner (x's3)then left side corner until finished. I should have said earlier at all times when you stapling streched the fabric tight over the wood staple. Pull tight staple etc. the next step is important. At any craft store or where ever you purchase your paint you can picki up a can of Jesso or Gesso (not sure of the spelling). What this does when you apply a coat to the strechted fabric is it makes the fabric shrink so it is tight and also shrinks the weave in the fabric so you have a smooth surface to paint on and your colors will paint true to themselves! I hope I made sense. Have a great time! Bravo!

Lol... it's been eight months since I asked this question. I figured it out, thank you though.

You could try gluing canvas to foam core. Just glue it around the edges. Canvas does not have to be stretched super tightly in order to paint upon it. In fact, that is how floor cloths are painted. The paint is applied to canvas that is not stretched. Then it is varnished after painting. Both canvas and foam core can be cut easily with an x-acto knife. Or just paint right on the foam core. It has a very smooth surface for drawing and painting on. It is very light and can be placed onto a mini-easel on a table or shelf. You can also glue a small flap doodad on the back so the foam core will stand as a framed photograph would, all by itself.

This was almost two years ago. I figured it out, thank you.

Try using regular white mat board which you can buy at the art canvas store. Use Elmers white glue and a small foam roller. Cut the canvas about 1/4" larger all around. Apply the glue to the front of the mat, lay down the canvas. Sandwich between two layers of Wax Paper and weight until dry. Wrap and glue the edges, Sandwich and weight again.

Question is old and sufficiently answered. Thank you for all who've responded to it.

Question is now CLOSED.