canvas mod podge tutorial

how have i not posted this yet? i know lots of people asked for this tutorial, and i just never posted it. sorry about that. here goes....

this project is extremely simple and a bit complex at the same time. mostly, you just need to prepare and make sure everything is to your liking before you go ahead with the wet and sticky mod podge. 

all you'll need is: 1 plain wrapped canvas, 1 foam paintbrush (the wider the better, i say), mod podge, a bowl for the mod podge, and paper cut to your liking. i also like to have some wipes on hand as my fingers get really sticky and i like to occasionally clean them off throughout the process. but definitely not necessary.

for my backgrounds, i like 4-5 different patterns of paper, all in the same color family. different textures work great too. for the actual picture, i still like to keep it simple, keeping in similar color families or patterns. that said, i often use the scraps i have on hand so that rule doesn't always apply. just play around with the papers to make sure you like them in advance.

step 1...

cut the background pieces into smallish squares and rectangles. nothing fancy, random is best.

step 2...

arrange the pieces on the canvas to your liking. remember, if you don't like how it looks, NOW is the time to change it as nothing is permanent!

step 3...

pour the mod podge into the bowl and start sticking. i work from the outside in. i often move the pieces, all arranged, next to the canvas, so i can put them on in the right order without getting everything messy. you can be generous with the mod podge. paint the back, then stick it on and paint the front. be sure to get all the air bubbles out and if you're working with a lightweight paper, don't take too much time, the paper will get wet and start to tear. just work quickly!

step 4...

when all the pieces are in place, paint the entire canvas with a coat of mod podge, making sure that the brush strokes are all in the same direction and there are no air bubbles. let dry. (i usually wait overnight.)

step 5...

arrange the animal (or other image) to your liking. as before, change whatever you don't like now, before you stick it on permanently. (trick: i often use things from my house as stencils for circles and other shapes that need to be accurate, e.g., spice bottles and bowls or glasses are great for circles).

step 6...

start sticking. remember to work from the bottom up. for this bird, i did the tail feathers, the legs and the beak first, the body next, and finally the wing and the eye. 

step 7...

paint the entire canvas with another layer of mod podge. don't skimp. and try to keep the brush strokes in the same direction. press out any air bubbles from the animal and then let dry completely. a full day should do the trick. it could be dry to the touch, but still tacky, so it really is worth it to take the time to let it dry completely. 

voile! i nailed metal hanging strips to the back of mine for them to be displayed on a wall, but you can display however you'd like.