Distressed Canvas Pictures {DIY}

How many of you love a good new project? I know I do and I was looking for something fun to do with my sister while she came for a visit over the weekend. This project was absolutely perfect. New, different, simple and on the cheap.

OK so what are you going to need to get started?

{Materials Needed}

1. Blank Canvas (I got a package of 8 - 11x16s at Michaels for $5)

2. Gel Medium (this is the most expensive at $15)

3. Spray Bottle

4. Sponge Brush

5. Your image blown up to the size of your canvas

**Note about getting your image printed***

Make sure you print it as a REVERSE NEGATIVE

(you can do this in photoshop or I'm sure if you ask the printer, they can flip the image for you)

on 20# WHITE COPY PAPER w/ TONER. 

If you use normal copy paper this project won't work. 

It must be printed on the cheapest most basic paper there is. 

Kinkos printed me a 12x16 for $1.

This is the Gel Medium that I have found works the best

{Steps}

Lightly spritz your image

Apply a generous, even layer of Gel Medium over the entire canvas. 

Lay your image face down on your gelled canvas. 
This is why you have it printed as a reverse negative - so it won't be flipped on the canvas.

Take some sort of flat edge and push out any bubbles.
You can also use your fingers to do this... both work equally as well.

*Let your image dry for 4+ hours or overnight. The image needs to completely dry in order for it to transfer well* 

This will allow you to get some of those errands run or if you're anything like me now you can take care of that giant pile of  laundry that continues to grow that you've needed to fold for about a week now ;)

Once you have allowed your image to dry, you are going to spray the paper
until you can see the image through the wet paper.

Begin to peel the paper away.

Rub the remaining paper away until all that remains is the image.
You will notice the image to start coming off with the paper, so make sure and
be gentle with this process if you don't want a very distressed photo.

Once you are down to your image and can't get anymore paper off that means you are done with round 1.
Let it dry and then spray and repeat the process until you get the look you want.
Once dry you will realize just how much paper is still on your picture.
This is what it looks like dry after the first round of peeling.

I got a little impatient after like the 3rd or 4th time of peeling the paper,
so I busted out some sand paper to expedite the process and help with the distressing factor a bit.

Once you are happy with your final result, spread a thin even layer of gel medium over your image and let dry.
You can also use clear spray paint or Mod Podge to do this.
I like the Gel Medium because I can add textured strokes.

On a quick personal note: I think B&W pictures work the best for this project. I have done a couple of both B&W and Color and the B&Ws are much bolder. But in the end it's totally up to you! 

Remember this is a project that you can pick up and put down and work on over time. It is perfect for when you need to get something made but don't have a big chunk of time to sit down and bust it out. Let us know your thoughts and have fun with it! We'd love to see your distressed canvas pictures.. feel free to leave a link to your blog below and we'll check them out.