Young House Love

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How To Make A Geometric Painting On A Canvas

What is it about painting that makes me feel all frenchified and beret-worthy? Anyway, I finally got around to painting one of the giant (and deeply discounted) 40 x 30″ canvases that we scored for $23 from Michael’s thanks to 50% off with an additional 25% off on top of that (more details about how that happened at the end of this post). Ever since discovering this inspirational poster design from here (thanks to my good friend Pinterest) I knew I wanted to adapt it a bit. You know, go wide instead of vertical and have some fun with a few $2 paint samples from Lowe’s (total spent on paint: $9 for three pots which I then mixed with white craft paint that I had on hand to create a ton of different tints of the same few hues).

First I used a yardstick to space out equal vertical lines (I just used the width of the yardstick itself to keep things even) which I drew with a pencil:

Painting Stripes

Then I used the corner of a little card that we got in the mail (from an oil-change place) to create those angled peaks to mimic the prism-like shapes from my inspiration.

Painting Angles

Painting Angles2

Then I just filled each shape in with a variety of shades of blue and green (all derived from the three test pots of paint from Lowe’s and some white craft paint to make some of the shapes lighter). As for the specific paint colors, I used testers of Tropical Waters, Embellished Blue, and Thermal Spring by Behr. Here was what I was left with at first:

Painting Dark

It was fun and kind of high-energy, but the contrast was a little too much for me. So my foray into painting reminded me why I love painting so much: you can always paint right over it. So I mixed up a much lighter shade of greeny-gray and went over all of the darker green parts for a much more subtle tone-on-tone effect. I ended up here:

Painting Finished1

Painting Detail3

I love the imperfect lines and painterly brush strokes and the varied shades of the same few tones. The only thing I don’t like is the location. It just doesn’t feel right in our bedroom since the walls are a similar shade (and we thought the tone on tone look of the art might layer in nicely but it’s feeling a bit too monotone-ish and blah for us). So we’re thinking we might hang it in the dining room once we have a nice big buffet or console to go under it near the front entryway. Or it might end up somewhere else entirely. Just not on a soft blue-green wall. I guess I just like tone on tone art that’s not also on a wall of that tone. Go figure.

Painting Finished1

I went into this project expecting it to take an evening or two and it actually took a while longer (maybe four or five two-hour sessions) but in the end I almost didn’t want it to end. It’s just fun to paint again. Maybe I’ll tackle something else soon. I hope so. Have you guys painted any canvases recently? It totally took me back to my high school and college days (I took every art class my high school offered and then went off to art school in NYC for college- where I somehow ended up with a BFA in Advertising Design). Although using the paint pots from Lowe’s definitely made me smile since I’m used to paying five million dollars for oil paint (ok, that’s an exaggeration, but it wasn’t always cheap for a broke college kid).

And speaking of art school, that’s where a drawing professor of mine dubbed me “the narrator of life.” Apparently I’d just sketch and jabber on about everything as it happened (ex: “oops, I dropped my charcoal” or “now for the foreground” or “yikes, it’s noon already”). I sound really annoying right? Thankfully most of it was under my breath. My teacher had to lean in and ask what I was saying, which prompted me to realize that I was actually saying things out loud (I was in the zone, I knew not what I did). That “narrator of life” nickname embarrassed me at the time, but now I find it hilarious that my actual profession is essentially to narrate my life. Who would’ve thought. Maybe I should hunt down that professor (on Facebook?) and tell him where I ended up. Just don’t tell him I used house paint instead of oil paint. Scandalous.

Comments

  3. Tina says

    That came out really really nice.What a kowinkie dink I’m going to micheals later today to get some canvas because I need art on my walls theirs so much wall in my living room

    Reply

  4. Becky :) says

    I am in love with this! It is so fresh and calming. Reminds me of the beach! Such talent in that household…painted with love I am sure
    xo
    B

    Reply

  5. Katie @ J&K Homestead says

    This was one of the most inspiring posts for me, Sherry, because it is soooo far outside my comfort zone compared to anything I’ve tried before. But you made it look so easy that I just might have to try it sometime!

    Reply

  6. Rocky B says

    I really like this idea, this would be a good project for artwork in my guestroom.
    My husband and I have a painting date night every couple months. We set up in the living room with drop cloths thrown around, tons of paint, canvases and a bottle of wine. The first time we tried it we shared a canvas (interesting results from that one)and ended up spending hours working on it together.
    I’m inspiried to break the paintbox out, Great job once again!

    Reply

  10. Courtney says

    Wowza, it looks fantastic! You have inspired me to try something of my own. Definitely couldn’t free hand a still life but I’m sure I could manage straight lines. :)

    Reply

  14. Lindsey says

    Dang, I was all like, “I can totally do that too!” ….and then you had to throw out the whole, “I’m an artist, been an artist my whole life, went to school for art”. Confidence fizzled. Instead, I will totally just awe at your beautiful work…but go buy mine so as not to make a fool of myself. :-)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Haha- no way. I haven’t “painted art” for a looong time. Probably over five years. Consider me as rusty as any beginner. I used cheap craft brushes and house paint and a pencil and a ruler. Total “novice” level stuff. Haha.

      xo,
      s

  15. juliem says

    Ohh so cool…well done!!! Love it. Make me think I could even paint something doesn’t doesn’t only involve a can of spray paint and a three dimensional object.

    Reply

  16. Danielle Arnold says

    Wow! I dont know what else to say! You made my jaw drop! I was not expecting that at all! I looks wonderful!

    Reply

  17. Holly says

    What a great idea! I love seeing when someone is inspired by an image and just busts out their talent to give it ta go. I have so many ideas like this in my project files, and it is so easy to push it to the back-burner. This is such great inspiration to jump in and start doing! I’ve got four empty canvases waiting for color!!! Not too hard, totally lovely, and like you said, brings you to that place where you get a little lost in the fun of it all. Oh the creative process…such a great way to fill up on joy!

    Blessings,
    Holly
    http://hallelujahsbyholly.blogspot.com

    Reply

  19. Carley says

    I love this idea! We’ve been looking for a large piece of art for our living room and nothing fits when we look. I have never painted anything remotely artistic in my life, but you’ve inspired me to try. Love the attitude of you can always paint over it! You guys rock! times a million!

    Reply

  21. Brittany says

    I love this! It looks amazing and such a simple idea (not that it was simple to do necessarily). It makes me want to do one too!

    Reply

  22. Tania says

    GAAHHHH! This post is killing me.

    1) I love the painting and am eager to work on some art of my own for our new place but have been advised by my doctor to avoid painting, refinishing wood, etc all sorts of things as we are TTC. So painting is on hold indefinitely… as is wine, sushi, and many other simple pleasures…

    2) I’m still waiting for my damn Pinterest account. I signed up when you first wrote about it and am still waiting. I’m itching to play around with it!

    Nice job on the painting! Oh, one quick question since you guys are awesome at scouting deals… do you have any recommendations for places to blow up photos into large size canvases (i.e. like the size of this painting)?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Ooh try dropping in on our Facebook page and requesting that someone send you an instant invite. They usually do and you can get on right away! Oh and as for places that blow up images on canvas, you might want to try canvasrox.com. If anyone else has recommendations feel free to chime in.

      xo,
      s

    • Tania says

      Oh, thanks for the recommendations — @Sherry getting on the YHL FB page and @Ames and @Lyndsay re: Costco!

  24. Melissa says

    Seriously, is there anything you CAN’T do this month? First quilting, then paper-mache your child’s own pinata, now painting art for your wall. Such inspiration!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Aw shucks, you’re making me blush. If I can do it anyone can. That sounds cheesy but it’s true. Really. Anyone can do this stuff. And I love posting the pics in the hopes that others can get in on the fun too!

      xo,
      s

  25. Cindy says

    Love this. Great job!

    “Narrator of life” describes my youngest son, too. How funny — will have to share that with the fam at dinner tonight. xo

    Reply

  27. Alison says

    Awesome idea! I will definitely try this. I recently did a painting with painter’s tape dividing up areas in different areas, so this would be another great “modern art” piece.

    Reply

  28. Evan says

    Wow. Yesterday evening I was plotting out a colorblocked painting on a 30×40 canvas based on a design that I found on a shelter blog and using paint samples from Home Depot. That is freaky. I haven’t started actually painting though. I was too drained after just plotting it all out.

    Reply

  29. Kellye says

    Wow – that is impressive. Maybe it looks different in real life but I think it looks great on the bedroom wall with your cozy chair and lamp. Here is a virtual pat on the back!

    Reply

  30. Samantha says

    Eeerrrieee! I had looked at your pinterest when you first posted about it and saw that artwork and bookmarked it for a DIY myself! Thanks for the tips and DIY now!

    Reply

  31. Kel says

    It’s great! Now I was to paint too. I’m imagining this design in subtle browns and soft pink. Think it might look better in my head though…

    Reply

  32. Trude says

    Wow it looks gorgeous! That’s an incredible piece that hopefully the family will pass down – seriously. It’s that awesome. :)

    Reply

  33. Courtney Renegar says

    So, when I get home from work the first thing I do is check out your blog. Then, I go and browse Pinterest… and guess what I saw first thing?? Your painting! Is that crazy to you?! I can’t even imagine!!
    Love the blog, keep it up!!

    Reply

  35. Melissa says

    I’m such a big fan of using what’s around both for regular at home projects and (up until a month ago when I graduated) school projects that I don’t even wonder about using different mediums on a canvas.

    What’s the big deal right?

    Reply

  41. Catie says

    Sherry,
    This is totally off-topic, but I had to share – I just made this silly little gift box out of a plastic milk jug that I saw a tutorial for on pinterest and started wondering what I could do with the rest of the jug… ummm, FAUX CAPIZ! I started cutting out circles and BAM! They even kind of sound like capiz shells when they’re in a pile and you’re playing around with them.

    Anyhoo, thought I’d tell ya because I know you like the capiz. Happy DIYing!

    Reply

  45. kelly says

    that is really cool! i am NO artist but i love painting things. it is very theraputic for me. i’ll just find a chair or some wood and go to it!

    Reply

  46. Chris says

    Sherry,
    Do you know how many colors you made/used on this?
    I’m interested in trying one similar to this :)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      I used just the three base colors I listed in the post but I added varying amounts of white to create around ten different tones between the lightest (white) and the darkest (that greeny-gray tone). Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  47. Dana says

    That is wonderful and a great idea for some cheap art based on something more expensive. I liked both of the paintings. I may have to try it for some graphic art for our bathroom that we are renovating.

    Reply

  49. Colleen says

    Wow. You never fail to amaze me. What a beautiful work of art!

    I think you should call it, “Bob”. :)

    Reply

  50. dana828 says

    Love it!! Funny, I just painted my son’s room in Tropical Waters (fave. color. ever.), then used some of the sample jar on a canvas, too! I painted the canvas, then silver-leafed over it–way cool! Now I have another huge canvas waiting for me to decide what to do with it…

    Reply

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