Alyice on March 10th, 2008

How To Create A Wedding Canvas

This week-end I began work on a new canvas, and today it is officially finished. I had so much fun putting this canvas together because it represents second chances—this is the second marriage for the spouse. The couple complete each other in a way that brings them true joy and happiness and because they have many of the same likes and dislikes it makes hanging out together loads of fun.

I began the canvas by painting a thin layer of white gesso. Then I spread a thin layer of molding paste over the canvas. While the molding paste was still wet I added several hearts I punched out of scrap papers. Then I used a heart shaped stamp with deep indentations to add more texture. I let the canvas dry over night.

The next day I painted the canvas using Golden fluid acrylics and Liquitex Basics acrylics. When I got the color scheme I was going for, I added the photo of the couple (which I had previously decoupaged). Then I added more molding paste to shape two more hearts into the painting. I also added the lettering. I let the painting dry over night.

The next day I used an oil pastel crayon to outline the heart and rubbed the color into the canvas using my fingers. I then painted the hearts and did a little more painting of the canvas itself—to give it a deep rich color. I then let the canvas dry. When it dried, I grabbed a bottle of Diamond Glaze and poured it over the two hearts and the letters. I inserted tiny beads into the two hearts and let the canvas dry over night.

This morning I finalized the piece by applying two coats of Delta Ceramics Satin Exterior/Interior Varnish; a polyurethane super resistant coating. Then I spent the better half of the morning trying to take a decent photo of the canvas.

I give product photographers a lot of credit because taking a good product photo is no easy task! I had blurred shots, shots with discoloration, and shots that simply couldn’t be used thanks to light glare. And if I got too close, in an effort to really show off the detail in the canvas, the couple’s faces became distorted. I was ready to pull out my hair, let me tell you!

But finally, I think I have a photo good enough to be shown—at least I hope so!

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One Comment

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Tina L. Miller says:
This is so cool! When you study the photograph really closely, the detail becomes more apparent. There are a lot more hearts on there than I initially thought!

You’re right about product photography! It can be challenging. BUT the key is to use a tri-pod for steady shots AND to have great lighting! I know you’ve said you DON’T have good lighting yet, so I’m sure that’s a big part of the challenge to get the photos you want.

Tina
Posted at 12:35 pm March 11th, 2008

AlyiceEdrich.com
I'm a freelance writer, mixed media artist, SMVA, and the owner of The Dabbling Mum.

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