Okay…I have more canvas gel medium love to share with you…and if you stick to the end of this post I have a great tip and a freebie for you too.
My youngest is obsessed with cars and trucks right now so I made this piece of art for his room.
As some of you have asked, I don’t know of any printers that can print larger than 11×17 in laser color toner unless you want to move to a larger and 5x more expensive printer (with an exception I will mention at the end).
So…to work around that I made this out of two 11x 17 pictures. I biffed the spacing between the pictures a titch but I have faith you will do better than I did. Right? Right.
To get the truck collage I…
…took a picture of a bunch of cars from our hot wheels collection. I just put it on top of a piece of computer paper in a bright window.
Then in photoshop (can all be done in GIMP or even Picasa as well) I turned up the contrast and brightness.
So it looks like this:
And…
Then in Picasa I made it into a collage {grid style} with an 8.5 x11 paper size. I left the truck on the bottom right, going the opposite way because I think it adds character and kind of draws your eye down to it. If that bugs you flip all cars to face the same way first before making the collage.
In tuning I turned up the fill light and the high lights to help erase lines between the photos and any shadows behind the cars – it isn’t perfect but mine got close with only one shadow on the green car – bah! When I transfered it I just rubbed, rubbed, rubbed this part off and it was fine.
Put back into photoshop to size the picture to the size you want or have your printer do this if they can or will.
OR… You can just use mine. I am giving you permission to take these three images and these three images only for FREE to make your own canvas!Â
Please…my only request is that you link to my blog and give credit where it’s due, if you blog about it.Â
Here is the 11×14 size: {just right click and save image as to your desktop and then it’s yours!} This is not reversed but should work either way. You can transfer it like this or flip it yourself.
And here are the two halves to make a 13×16 that you would center onto a 16 x20 canvas.
Then follow this tutorial to transfer it to canvas.Â
MUST READ TIP:Â You MUST use the regular cheap copy paper (I think 20# but anything really close to this should be okay). The copy place I go to can print a 16×19 laser color BUT only on glossy card stock. So I tried using it. MISTAKE. This is what happened.
Learn from my mistake…use the cheap stuff – no substitutions will work.
Happy crafting!
love it! can't wait to make one!!!!
yeah! This is so rad. I have a few photos of my son's toy vehicles that I wanted to get printed for his room. This would be MUCH more visually interesting, though! I don't know if I'll go the single-vehicle route or the collage-method. I need to find me a Michael's coupon!
Hi I'm out here reading your blog in Seattle and I think it's really fun. I have 2 boys as well. Keep up the great work!
I love seeing all the creative things you are doing! You've always been an inspiration to me.
that's such a cool idea!
very cute and SO reid 🙂 and i love reading your craft blog (as well as your personal blog)- i just haven't been very good in the commenting department… on anyones' blogs… or even on writing in my own blog! *trying to improve* 🙂
ps- loved that hand tree idea you posted on one of your friday posts- carlitos and i decided to make one for my mom for mother's day!
I read your blog =) You're on my "top sites" on my mac. Thanks for your fun posts!
Another super cool project!
this is incredible! i'm a little intimidated by projects that involve photo-editing software but your tutorials are motivating me to get out of my comfort zone and make something amazing!
really cool. I love how you photographed their actual toys. 🙂
Thank you! 🙂
love this idea! I think I might do it with my kiddos (two boys too!) favorite random little toys…a little ppl boy we named JoJo, plastic bugs, cars, trucks and superheros. Then I can look back on it in 20 years and sigh…
Hi, I love your blog! I don't miss a post, but I'm a shy commenter. 😉 I started my own blog about the same time you started this one, so yours is extra special to me. Thanks for your good work!
I just started following your blog. Thanks for the inspiration.
Hi, I follow your blog via google reader, and I love it, and all your crafts. I have some of yours in my "to do list" I have not even update it yet into my blog, but I will do it soon. Regards
Love this! I have two boys who love cars and this would be perfect for their "transportation" bedroom decor. Thanks for sharing!
http://boyohboyohboycrafts.blogspot.com
really cool, my son would love it!! i am a huge fan of your blog and am enjoying it thoughly!
http://www.emerson-j.blogspot.com
I'm reading–almost every day. You do an amazing job and inspire me. Now to get off my duff and try some of your crafting here.
I also read this almost daily – LOVE it!
you are on my google reader, so i visit every time you add a new entry. you are so inspiring! thank you! =)
I love your blog and this crafty idea is awesome! My two little guys will love this – and thanks for doing all the hard work and giving it to us all for free!!
I am new to your site…. but in total love of all your ideas and projects. I am a photographer and have two boys and I can't wait to start making art with your photo transfer projects.
Thanks so much for posting!
I'm reading your blog in Ohio…I'm a new photographer and found your blog through DPS…I don't have kids, but I do have 2 nephews that I adore..and i think i'm going to try some of these projects with them for their parents!
Thanks for being so darn inspiring!
Y'all are seriously so sweet. Thanks for commenting. 🙂
I'm a new reader and I LOVE your blog! I just went to an art show in Fort Worth where a woman was selling (for a high price, mind you) lovely canvases very similar to these. Hers were more artsy/less craftsy, but still, they were so amazing I immediately decided I had to figure out how she did it. Enter your blog. Thank you so much for all the detailed tutorials.
Oh, I love this!! I have been wanting to try gel medium. I think it's time for me to bite the bullet and buy some and try it out!! This is soo great, and when I'm ready to redo my sons nursery, I'm doing it in cars and trucks also. I featured this on my Friday Favorites!!
http://lilbitofus.blogspot.com/2010/05/friday-favorites_21.html
I am in love with your blog…and LOVE this. Perfect for my friend who is having a son. Now I just have to get the courage to try this : ) You rock!
Wow! Brilliant way to make DIY art. I use canvases for cheaper wall art, but I paint on them mostly. This is a very good variation. Will make a perfect gift. Thank you so much for sharing.
I found this on pinterest and can hardly wait to try this and use it in my little boy's room. Thanks!
My little guy is going to love taking pictures of his Legos for some wall art of his own! What an awesome summer project! Thanks!
Love it!