How to Make Stamped Canvas Artwork with a Drywall Masher

You'd never know this modern framed artwork was handmade. See how we used hardware store supplies to make this one-of-a-kind piece!

By Hannah Bruneman

Forget the home decor department—you can make the best artwork from items found at your local hardware store. This modern stamped canvas is easy to make and delightfully easy on the budget. Pick up a canvas and a drywall mud masher, and you're all set! We used moody gray paint leftover from other home projects to make it even more budget-friendly. Check out the steps below to see how we did it. Since it's mostly stamping, you don't need to have an artistic bone in your body to do this one right. 

See other weekend projects for your living room here.

  • Working time 2 hrs
  • Start to finish 1 day
  • Difficulty Easy
  • Involves Painting, Carpentry Skills
Advertisement

What you need

Tools
Materials
Advertisement

How to do it

Step 1

Paint Canvas

The best way to start a canvas project is by making sure the canvas you’re working with is a white, clean slate. Paint the entire canvas white using a paintbrush. Make sure the paint is applied evenly and reaches down the edges. Let dry completely.

Watch

How to Paint a Wall: Top Tips

Learn everything you need to get even coverage and crisp lines.

Advertisement
Step 2

Mix Paint

As the white paint dries, mix the paint you will use to make the pattern. In one paint tray, pour a little bit of your lightest color. (We used a range of grays.) Next to that combination, pour the next darkest shade. Swirl the edges of the two colors together to create a marble effect.

Repeat this paint mixing process in the second paint tray with the medium hue and the darkest hue.

See also

DIY Marbleized Pots

Turn terra-cotta pots into something glamorous in just a few simple steps.

Step 3

Stamp Pattern

Now it’s time to stamp the pattern. Dip the drywall mud masher in the lighter paint tray. Make sure you get a good variety of hues on the masher. Place masher over the canvas and stamp in the upper left corner. Continue stamping across the first row, picking up more paint, if necessary.

When you move on to the second row, use the darker paint. As you continue stamping the canvas, alternate light and dark colors in each row. Let paint dry.

Editor's Tip

Do a dry run of the stamping technique on a sample piece of fabric or cardboard. This will help you master the technique and determine the number of stamps you'll need to fill the canvas.

Advertisement
Step 4

Add Trim

Finally, line your canvas with trim. You may want to stain or paint the trim first—we made ours a classic black. Cut the trim pieces to size, leaving room for butt joints. Line the trim up to the edges of the canvas, and use a nail gun to set in place, nailing into the canvas frame. The trim will offer a more finished look to your work.

Watch

How to Use a Nail Gun

We'll show you the basic steps to using this carpentry tool. 

Comments

How difficult was this project?
Be the first to comment!
Font Size
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.bhg.com