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Quick art for your walls

Handy_Ann_columnI moved earlier this year and still have a lot of bare walls throughout my new apartment. Since I don’t have a huge home décor budget, I decided to create my own pieces of art to make my home homier.

Abstract art

I decided to tackle a simple project to start. This abstract art project is straightforward and only takes a few minutes to complete, so you could even get your family involved in the process.

What you need:

• 1–3 pieces of canvas
• 2 rolls of green painting tape (one thin, one thicker). I substituted one roll of green tape for clear tape as a last minute fix.
• 1–3 tubes of acrylic paint (I chose silver and violet)
• 1–3 paintbrushes

Instructions:

1) Apply several pieces of thick and thin tape onto a canvas in different directions to create a unique design. Press the tape firmly onto the canvas, so the paint won’t seep underneath. (If you look closely at my violet piece you can tell I learned this lesson the hard way.)

2) Lay out some newspaper to protect the surface you are working on.

3) Apply a coat of paint to all the white areas of the canvas, including all the edges. It doesn’t matter if you accidentally paint on the tape.

4) Let dry for a minimum of 30 minutes. My paint was fast drying, so allow more time to dry depending on the type of paint you use.

5) Remove all the pieces of tape from the canvas to reveal the white portions and the final look of your masterpiece.

6) The piece is now ready to be hung up, or the process can be repeated on other pieces of canvas for a series of paintings in the same or different colours. Just remember to use a fresh paintbrush if you’ve decided on a new paint colour for the next canvas.

You could also try this project with spray paint instead of acrylic paint.

Black and white art

DSC_0431-2For my next work of art, I attempted to replicate a piece of art I stumbled upon on Pinterest. Although it looked simple enough — how hard could a black and white painting be? — I still thought it wise to attempt on a much smaller scale in case things went awry.

What you need:

• 1 canvas
• 1 tube black acrylic paint
• 1 tube silver acrylic paint
• 1 paintbrush
• 1 glass of water

Instructions:

1) Lay canvas onto newspaper to protect the surface you are working on.

2) Dip a paintbrush in water and then into black paint before applying long strokes of paint onto the canvas, starting about halfway from the top.

3) Apply several more coats of paint, focusing on the bottom of the canvas, getting lighter toward the middle of the piece.

4) Optional: To make my piece one-of-a-kind I decided to add some silver paint into the mix. After dipping the paintbrush in silver paint, lightly dab it onto the black areas of the painting and then top it off by dabbing black paint onto it so it blends in.

5) Let dry for a minimum of 30 minutes (longer if your paint isn’t fast drying).

6) Display the painting for guests to admire.