Christmas Canvas

Here is a fun project that there's still plenty of time to make for Christmas. I do like having things other than tree ornaments and tinsel that I can bring out each year to adorn my walls over the festive period.

Even if you are nervous of painting this is a very achievable canvas so I hope you'll give it a try!

The snowman is created using my "Winter Wonderland Snowman" stamp set (PICSA6451) available from stockists of Personal Impressions products. I stamped him onto white card and carefully cut him out. Note that if you don't want to include the word blocks on his body, stick strips of masking tape over them, ink up the stamp then remove the tape before stamping the image. (Clever eh? Not really!)

I placed the cut out image onto an 8" x 8" canvas and drew around the shape and then applied DecoArt Media Line white Gesso over the canvas, leaving the snowman shape clear. I find it best to smooth the gesso into the snowman outline so that there isn't a harsh stop line. I used DecoArt products throughout except for a black Archival ink pad.

I then applied DA Crackle Paint over various areas of the canvas, some thin and some thick - the thicker the application, the heavier the crackling will be. Set aside the canvas to dry and, whatever you do, don't use a heat tool to try and speed up the process or the gesso will bubble and the crackle paint will not work. I usually place mine in a warm spot and keep checking...patience!

Meanwhile, we can turn our attention to the snowman. Using the Translucent White Fluid Acrylic, paint over the snowman's face and body - I use a soft brush that is just damp.There's no need to add water to the paint as it's very fluid as the name suggests. You will still be able to see the stamped details through the paint so you are effectively just colouring in the image - easy! Here are the colours of Media Fluid Acrylics that I used for the whole project...

Continue painting the snowman in your choice of colours. I like to use ball ended tools in various sizes when I add the facial details in black as this gives a nice round shape - you can use the end of a paintbrush too. Remember to paint the edges of the image to cover any white card that may show otherwise.

Once the canvas is dry and has nicely crackled, you can start to paint it...I added a row of simple trees and a sunrise to mine. Just have fun with the colours! I also smoothed Metallic Silver over the crackled areas and immediately removed the paint with a baby wipe which just leaves the silver in the cracks.

I painted on the words and extra snowflakes using Titanium White and a fine brush.

Once you are happy with the background, glue the snowman to the space that you left on the canvas - DA Matte Medium is ideal for this. Make sure it is well stuck, especially around the edges. I like to add some shadow around the image so that it looks grounded...simply blend colour that is slightly darker than the background around the snowman's outline. 

Next, apply a couple of coats of Soft Touch Varnish over the snowman, allowing it to just go over the edge of the cut out image which will nicely seal it to the canvas. Whilst still wet, sprinkle in a little Glamour Dust for extra sparkle!

Use a spatula to apply Snowtex to the base of the canvas to give a really snowy, textured surface for the snowman to stand in. Again, a little Glamour Dust looks very festive. I then mix Snowtex with gesso to let it down a little before using a small brush to add snowy details to his hat and the trees.

I really hope you'll give this canvas a try...using the stamped image separately in this way really does make it much easier!