This year, it seems like more of us have been diving deep into our hobbies than ever. In fact, with all of this free time on our hands, some of us may have even found that we simply do not have enough hobbies to fill our time with. If this is you, you might want to look into canvas art.
Most of us associate canvases with painting, but there is no limit to what you can do with a blank canvas. In this article, we will go through some of our favorite ideas for canvas art so that you can find the inspiration that you need to be the best artist that you can be.
One thing: although we would all love to have inexpensive art for our home, if you are not yet at a point where you are making professional-grade canvas paintings, don’t despair. That takes years of dedication! We are just here to have some fun, and encourage the creative sides of our brains.
1. Children’s Handprint Art
If you have children, then you can use this unique idea to not only create art in your home but to also commemorate your children’s milestones as they grow up. While you can certainly dunk your child’s hand in some paint and then apply it to a canvas, a less messy option involves tracing your child’s hand and then filling it in with a design. Check it out at Mod Podge Rocks.
2. Hearts Canvas Art
If you’re just looking to tip your toes in the world of canvas art, then painting hearts might be the perfect place to start. Plus, who could possibly be in a bad mood while they’re drawing hearts? For an extra special touch, you can add your name (or somebody else’s name) to the bottom of the canvas. See this example over at Crafts Unleashed, which is actually based on a piece of designer art!
3. Wallpaper Canvas Art
Wallpaper is making a comeback in a big way, and just because you may not want to plaster it all over your walls doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy the adorable designs that are out there! Not only will covering a canvas with wallpaper cost you the fraction of the cost of what it would entail to cover up an entire room, but is also much easier to remove than actual wallpaper itself when it comes time to switch it up. For something different, you can cover three canvases in different types of wallpaper to create a full wall piece as seen here.
4. Fabric Canvas
By using fabric to cover your canvas, you have the capability to create something amazing without needing to deploy professional-level art skills. It’s not cheating, it’s being creative!
And, of course, in order to pull the project off well, you will still need to follow at least a few rules. See an example of the kind of magic that can happen when you combine fabric with canvas on Modge Podge Rocks.
5. Geometric Canvas
There is a reason why geometric patterns have been so “in” in recent years. Not only are they stylish and minimal, but they fit into just about any room design. If you have acrylic colours and some green masking tape, then you can make a geometric painting! Take out these beautiful triangles from Thrifty Momma Ramblings.
6. Textured Painting
If you’re looking to create a piece of canvas art that is particularly unique, you will want to entertain another one of your senses besides vision. And no, we don’t mean creating a scratch and sniff painting, although that would be cool! We mean adding texture to your painting to make it interesting to touch. Get a comprehensive tutorial from A Glass of Bovino.
7. Herringbone Canvas Art
Are you familiar with herringbone? If not, this is the gist of it: it’s a pattern that features a parallel arrangement of rectangles. It is most often seen in flooring. It also makes a colorful and ever-so-stylish design for a piece of canvas! We love the way that the canvas from this tutorial mixes both metallics and matte colors.
8. Pet Art Print
If you are at a loss for painting ideas, why not do a pet portrait? The best part is that, no matter how it turns out, your pet will not be able to put it into words even if they detest it (but we’re sure they would love it in any case, especially if you get their best side).
Of course, it won’t be possible to find a guide that will help you pet your exact pet, but here is an easy-to-follow guide on how to create a fun pet portrait on a canvas!
9. Photo Collage
Here is another departure from the traditional paint on canvas that will still result in a beautiful, personalized piece of art! To make a photo collage on a canvas, you will first want to gather all of your favorite photographs from over the years. Then, once you have the required materials, there are many different directions that you can take it in. Here is a great example of a black-and-white photo project!
10. Abstract Quote Art
When it comes to canvas painting, color and design are not enough. Sometimes you just need to add text! While there are many different types of words that you can add, whether it be your own first name or your family name, there is something about an uplifting quote that can just brighten up a home.
If you’re interested in adding a quote to your canvas, this tutorial from a Crafted Passion is a good place to start. Of course, you can choose your own quote, as what brings you joy is a personal matter!
11. Polka Dot Painting
Why not brighten up your room with a little bit of polka dots? To create this canvas, you can either use a bingo dapper or you can create your own circles using a freehand method. For best results, try sticking to within one shade, or at least stick to complementary colors. Here are some ideas from HomeTalk.
12. Paint Splatter Canvas Art
We can’t guarantee that following these tutorials will turn you into a regular Jackson Pollock, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t use this interesting art technique to your own advantage.
For best results, you’ll want to cover the floor around your canvas with a tarp or cloth of some kind — this can get messy. See more at MyCrafts.
13. Watercolor Canvas Art
Most of the entries on the list up until this point have involved acrylic paint, but it’s important to note that there are several other paint types out there. One popular type, especially for beginners, is watercolors.
There are many different designs that you can create through watercolors, but there is something about the texture of waves that works well with watercolors. Here is a beautiful design that you can follow along with.
14. City Silhouette Canvas Art
Many of us have at least some degree of pride for the cities that we live in. Maybe you live in a city that is a favorite among tourists, or maybe you live in a city that is known for being the original home of a beloved, delicious sandwich. Or, maybe your city simply has a beautiful skyline. If this last one is the case, then this next project is certainly for you.
This project involves the reimagination of your city’s skyline onto a canvas. Of course, it doesn’t necessarily have to be your skyline — you could also use this project as an opportunity to pay tribute to a city that you love. You could also just do a generic city skyline. See an example that uses the Seattle skyline here.
15. Stamped Canvas Art
Stamps are a wonderful way to get creative juices flowing, especially if you are not somebody who is comfortable with a paint brush or a coloured pencil in your hand. Thanks to the internet, there is no shortage of stamp shapes that you can find —if you can conceive of it, then chances are that a stamp of it exists.
You don’t have to follow it exactly, but here is a tutorial from Rubberstamps.com that will show you the kind of things that are possible with stamp art.
16. Easy Flower Canvas Painting
Who doesn’t love to paint flowers? By painting a flower on your canvas, you have the ability to bring a little piece of nature inside your home. Some of the easiest flowers to paint include mums, tulips, and lilies, but personally we are most fond of daisies. There is just something about their bright yellow and white hues that brighten up even the most stubborn of rooms! Here is a great daisy tutorial from Pamela Groppe Art.