Yellow – Distressed Canvas Updated Tutorial

Let’s get started.

Materials:

Canvas (you can also use this method on smooth wood)
foam craft brush
spray bottle of water
*gel medium
**photo copied image on regular copy paper

PLEASE READ this next section CAREFULLY.

*This is what my jar of gel medium looks like. Any close variation of this should work. It can be found in the art supply section of Michael’s.

It is expensive so I recommend using a coupon if you can. But, once you buy a jar it lasts what seems like forever. Like I mentioned, I have made 15 canvases of varying sizes and have enough for a couple more 11×14 sized canvases. These make great gifts, so I think it’s worth it. My jar after coupon came to about $9…so really not too bad.

**Paper type is probably the #1 question I get emails about. The best paper for this project is 20 pound copy paper. I have had readers say that smooth 34# paper works best for them. I have never tried that, but it’s worth a shot. It will likely just be a little more expensive and may even release the laser toner better, resulting in a less distressed transferred image. Do not use cardstock. It will not work. Believe me. I’ve tried.

You must print the image in laser toner. Picture paper will not work. Ink from an ink jet printer will not work.

Be mindful of your image choice. No matter how well you follow these instructions you will always have parts of the image rub away. There may also be some paper residue that doesn’t completely come off as well. Choose an image that will lend itself to these idiosyncracies well.

Also, be mindful that the resulting image on the canvas will be the mirror image of what you print on your paper. You may need to reverse the image in photoshop or have your print shop do it for  you.

Laser toner in black and white, or in color both work great.

***If you want to see how I made my image for this post see the end.

Note: You will notice some changes from this tutorial from the first tutorial. These steps are an improvement on the original.

Step One: Prep your canvas.

You can leave it as is, or paint it with acrylic paint beforehand. Just make sure the paint is completely dry before you start.

Coat the canvas in a thick layer of gel medium. A nice thick layer ensures that your image will transfer better. The thinner the layer, the greater the distressed look and the greater chance you will lose more of your image when it transfers.

Even out your layer of gel medium and ensure that you have covered every inch of the face of the canvas.

Step Two: Place your image on the canvas.

Immediately after you coat the canvas with gel medium, place the paper face down on the canvas. Be careful how you place it. It is difficult to successfully move it again once it is down. The image starts to transfer almost right away. Once it starts drying, it starts transferring.

Then smooth it out with your fingers. Try to push air bubbles out the best you can.

You can use a brayer. I don’t have one. I used to use the flat edge of a credit card, but after doing it several times, I think using your fingers is easier and more efficient.

This is how mine looked after I smoothed it out for almost 5 minutes.

Let it dry. This can take about a couple of hours or so. The drier you let it get, the better the image transfers.

Step Three: Remove the paper.

This is how my canvas looked after it had dried for a couple of hours.

Now…Completely drench the canvas with a spray bottle full of water. You want to be able to see the entire image through the paper.

Then pull the paper off as much as you can.

For whatever paper doesn’t come off, use your fingers to rub it away. You may also use a damp sponge. I don’t prefer it but some readers have recommended it. Do what you feel most comfortable with.

Then keep rubbing.

Your goal is to rub off as much paper as possible without rubbing off the image…too much.

Don’t be afraid to add some pressure to your efforts.

The paper will dry while you rub. Just spritz with more water and keep rubbing off more paper.

It makes a big mess. I usually like to do this outside but I wanted you to see how big of a mess this should make if you are doing it right.

When it looks how you want it to – or pretty close. Brush off the little paper pieces and let it dry completely (about an hour or so)

Once it’s dry you will notice that you really didn’t get as much paper off as you thought.  So repeat the process again.

It usually only takes me about 2 rounds of this before my canvas is ready. You may want to try a couple of more times.  That’s up to you.

*With portraits I might do a third round. You want to be careful around facial features. An over distressed or lost eye can ruin the picture.

So…Here is my final canvas before I add a clear coat.

You will notice that there are still some places where paper residue is and where the image has been rubbed off.

You can keep rubbing but some of the paper will just not come off without the image or at all. It is a part of the nature of the project.

Step Four: Finish your canvas.

Add a top coat. A topcoat will help the image come through just a little bit more once it dries, and it will keep the canvas protected.

You can add a clear coat of paint. I like to use more gel medium. That is what gel medium is actually meant to do…protect paintings.

And it allows you to create a pop of texture if you want. I have done random brush strokes, a smooth finish, but this time I decided to make it almost stucco like – just for fun.

It will actually dry this way, maintaining the shape and texture you gave it.

Let it dry – this also takes 1-2 hours.

And, then you’re done! Enjoy your “art” work!

Once you get your image selected and printed, this project can really be completed in half a day.

Now here is a quick picture tutorial on how I made my image.

I used Photoshop Elements 8.

Created a new image and specified the size of my canvas.

Then under the create tab I started adding yellow flower shapes. {To get into this section I have to create a collage first which I just delete when I am done…just a quirk I think with using Elements 8}

Fill the canvas.

Flatten the image.

And save.

Or… just save this image to your computer. You are welcome to use it if you like. 🙂 It is sized to 11×14.

Phew! So there are a lot of steps but it isn’t too difficult once you get going.

And the results are really stunning.

If you have a mishap…don’t fret. There are ways to salvage the canvas by using this technique again. Visit the original tutorial for links to other variations of this project.