Making a Faux Canvas - For Art Squared - ACEO/ATC #2

This is the second in a series of ways to make your own small art canvas boards. 

This is another useful, money-saving way to produce reasonably priced, quality canvases using the following steps.

What you will need:
Poster Board (you may choose another suitable board. But avoid using corrugated cardboard).
Cutting board
Rotary cutter
X-Acto Knife
3-M Gorilla Tape
Fabric (see list below)
Gesso
Small Flat Paintbrush
Water and  Paint rags for clean-up


Cut the board to the desired size. Approximately 1/8 to 1/16 inch smaller than finished board size. Make one test board to determine the exact size for future boards.

Decide on your fabric. Below are some suggestions. 
Muslin
Linen
Un-primed Canvas
Primed Canvas
Twill
Etc.

Cut the fabric approximately 1 inch larger than your poster board.  Once you have produced one canvas board, you will have a better idea of the exact size to cut your fabric.

1) Place your poster board or other suitable board in the center of the fabric. Evenly space the fabric from edges all around. Avoid the use of corrugated cardboard for the project.

2) Take a straight edge and draw a diagonal line at each corner, just beyond the corners of the cardboard.

3) Miter cut the corners of the fabric using a rotary cutter or X-Acto Knife and a straight edge. Cut slightly beyond the outer edge of the corner just a small fraction of an inch. Work with caution to avoid injury or damage to the project.  The first time I used a rotary cutter, I didn't realize how sharp they were. I had a great cutting board. One of those self-healing boards. So I was very excited to have this wonderful cutting system to add to my 15 other kinds of cutters and cutting tools. I made my first spectacular cut and went right off the edge of the board, slicing a long gash in my new padded card table top. LOL. That was 20 years ago and it's still a funny thought. I was horrified at the time though.
 
4) Pull the fabric tightly over the edges of the board and tape securely in place on the back side of the board. Continue until all 4 sides are securely taped in place. Try Gorilla Tape for this job. It's amazing tape for all kinds of jobs.

5) Once you have the board covered and securely taped to the back you are ready to clean up the edges in preparation for the final step. If you end up with the board showing at the corners you will want to make your cuts a tiny bit out from each corner.

6) If you end up with little fabric points at each corner, simply trim away with your X-Acto blade and make the necessary adjustment for your next board.

7) If you have selected primed canvas for the job, you are done and ready to start creating your next masterpiece.  
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Additional steps required to prime your unfinished or unprimed fabric 
Unfinished or unprimed fabric will need one additional step to be completed before you are done. Using a  good quality, flat paintbrush and fresh gesso, coat the fabric with 2 thin, smooth coats. You will want to brush out the gesso until it is evenly coating the fabric and so the texture of the fabric clearly shows. This step is important as it is the step that gives your canvas the desirable grain needed for the proper look upon which to paint. If the gesso is too thick, it will hide the texture of the fabric. If the gesso is too thin, the unfinished fabric will show through.  Older, clumping gesso will yield an uneven finish.

Allow the gesso to completely dry between coats. Once it is thoroughly dry you are ready to begin to create your next work of art.

Life's a journey. Find the good in each step along the way. Enjoy!