Immortalize Deceased Electronics as Wall Art

Step 2 Preparing The Surface (Optional)

I wanted a bright white background for my painting so that all of the colors were clear. I cut my canvas (with an inch or so margin on each side) and laid it out on a waterproof surface (vinyl tablecloth). I used liquid pigments in pthalo blue, pthalo green and black. It's just a matter of mixing a drop of pigment out with water and brushing it on. You can also mix dry pigment with water to achieve the same effect. Work over it until it's a background you like.

DO NOT use paint for this step. Pigment contains no binder and really isn't permanent on the surface at this point. Paints do contain binders, and those binders will seal the canvas and prevent the wax from adhering to the canvas.

When you like how it looks let it dry completely.

Attaching the Canvas (Optional)

Decide where you want your canvas to line up on the board. You can adjust it out toward any edge. This is completely aesthetic.

Brush an even coat of gesso over the entire surface of the board. Gesso dries quickly, so work as quickly as is reasonable, and brush over the outer edges last.

Immediately press your canvas onto the board where you planned to put it. Rub over it with your hands to be sure it's completely adhered. No gesso should be bleeding up through the canvas. If a little comes through you'll probably be okay.

Allow to dry completely (this will probably take overnight.)

Flip it over onto a cutting approved surface and trim the excess canvas. Trim as close to the board and as neatly as possible.