[ChihuahuaMomma]

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? :)

[charlotte234s]

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!

[ChihuahuaMomma]

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...

[charlotte234s]

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

[ChihuahuaMomma]

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...

[charlotte234s]

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?

[ChihuahuaMomma]

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

[charlotte234s]

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.

[ChihuahuaMomma]

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..

[charlotte234s]

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.

[ChihuahuaMomma]

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

[ChihuahuaMomma]

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

[charlotte234s]

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.

[charlotte234s]

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

[ChihuahuaMomma]

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

[ChihuahuaMomma]

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

[charlotte234s]

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

[jrebel7]

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?

[ChihuahuaMomma]

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.

[ChihuahuaMomma]

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

Definitely!!