Paint your Imagination: Creating Your Own Custom “Oil” Painting on Canvas for Next to Nothing!

I LOVE the elegance of a beautiful custom oil painting on canvas. There’s only one thing standing in the way of me filling my house with them: they’re too expensive! That’s why I’ve taken to creating my own artwork instead, starting with my own custom canvases.

I have to tell you, though: I can draft, but I cannot paint, so I like to stick to abstract artwork. I also like to work with acrylics. They’re incredibly inexpensive (especially when compared to oil paint), and you can pick up dozens of colors at the local craft store, which means less money spent and less guilt if you don’t like your first pass. Tips to create the look of an oil painting come later, but first, let’s start off with a custom canvas for next to nothing!

Here is what you’re going to need:

• 1 x 2 Lumber – add up the linear feet of your frame (plus a little extra)
• Canvas Duck
• Miter Box
• Staple Gun
• Acrylic Craft Paint
• Gesso or House Paint
• Paint Brushes
• Polyurethane

FYI: The cost to make my own 40 x 40 canvas was only $15!

Creating the Frame

Step One – Cutting the Frame

To create the frame, you’ll need your 1 x 2 lumber from your local hardware store, a miter box or chop saw, and a staple gun. Ultimately, you will have four 1 x 2 pieces of lumber to create the main portion of your frame. To avoid having a warped canvas, it’s important that you use mitered edges when creating your frame. Cut both the left- and right-hand side of each piece at a 45-degree angle. When you’re finished with each piece, they should create a “V” shape. Do this for all four sides of your frame.

Step Two – Attaching the Pieces

Once your frame is cut, line each corner up so that the two pieces come together to create a 90-degree angle. Use your staple gun to join the pieces together. For extra security, you can use a bead of wood glue to join pieces first. Once all of the sides are stapled together, you will have the beginnings of your frame.

Step Three – Bracing the Frame

Although the outside of your frame is looking good, it’s important to add braces for extra security. If you don’t complete this step, you run the risk of your frame warping over time. Using the remaining 1 x 2 lumber, cut 4 more mitered pieces (the same way you cut the sides of your frame). These pieces are going to vary in size depending on the size of your frame. Because my frame was around 40 x 40 inches, I chose to make each brace 12 inches. Once your braces are cut, wedge them into each corner and staple in place. For extra-large frames, consider adding an additional center support out of a straight piece of lumber. The additional stability will allow your canvas to last for years to come.

Stretching the Canvas

Step One – Lay out the Canvas

I chose to purchase my canvas at a fabric store. However, you can purchase canvas from an art store or even from the home improvement store. Drop cloths can easily go from catching paint to capturing artwork! Lay your canvas out on the floor, making sure that it’s completely flat, and place your new frame on top, face down.

Step Two – Staple it in Place

Starting from one side of your frame, wrap your canvas over the top and staple it in place. Move to the opposite side of your frame, stretch the canvas tight, and staple again. Repeat this step with the two remaining sides. Continue to move from each side, securing your canvas to the frame with staples. Make sure you’re pulling your canvas evenly as you move around so as not to create ripples on the front.

Creating Your Art!

Step One – Prepping your Canvas

Your newly stretched canvas is very porous and will suck up most of the paint you’ve just purchased, so it’s wise to prep it first. To give yourself a better surface to start with, you can do one of two things: coat your canvas in Gesso, a medium meant specifically to prime canvases, or use the paint you have around the house. The latter will certainly save you some money! Let your canvas dry before moving on to the next step.

Step Two – Get Creative

This is where the fun comes in, so don’t put pressure on yourself to be the next Picasso! Remember, it’s only paint. If you’re not loving the direction you’re going in, all you have to do is paint over it. If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed before getting started, look up a few pieces of inspiration to get you going. Also, consider doing something abstract and embrace the imperfections!

One way to get the look of an oil painting while using 50-cent craft paint is to build up the texture on your canvas before you add color. Experiment using elements like newspaper or sand. One of my favorites is acrylic caulk from the hardware store. Just add it to the top of your canvas and feather it out until you get the peaks and valleys you’re looking for. Play. Have fun!

While you’re painting, try adding water to help blend or add softness to your colors. Create drips, try dry-brushing, use a blow dryer to move paint from one side of your canvas to another…you get the idea.

Step Three – Seal It

Once you’ve finished your masterpiece, it’s time to sign it and protect it. I like to use a few coats of polyurethane in a satin finish. It gives your painting the shine of oil on canvas and it highlights the peaks and valleys you’ve created by adding the other materials, too. All that’s left to do is hang your artwork and admire the view!