Shaper Sheet Canvas (custom Without the Cost)
Intro: Shaper Sheet Canvas (custom Without the Cost)
No Wood-No Canvas-No Worries
Hi! Everyone this Ible is all about making it custom.
As artists, we create for business, family, friends, and ourselves; our art consists of lots different mediums.
Today I am working on a gift for my wonderful, all grown up Nephew Nick, who is going off to college soon where, I have no doubt he will do great things.
His favorite painting is The Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh, although I have painted a large painting for him before, it would be nice to make him a small yet distinct piece, for him to take to college, for what I am sure will be a small space.
Shaper Sheet to the rescue, for making custom sized canvases and designs.
Ever had that space or cool frame, you picked at the last flea market, and you just don't have quite the right canvas, and yeah you have the material but you don't have the wood or vice versa.
Shaper sheet, plaster, a pattern, and a few things around the house, you can make just what you need, as you need it.
Cool feature: After your SS canvas is made, it is rigid enough that you can mount objects to the surface, in one of the pictures you will see I mounted a piece of my fake iridescent glass. The thicker the coating the more weight it could hold.
STEP 1: Tools & Supplies.
- scissors
- craft knife
- cutting mat
- spray bottle of water
- mixing bowl for plaster
- silicone spatula
- scraper
- pencil or marker
- hot glue gun
- chip brush
- t-pins or tacks
- foil tape (optional)
Supplies:
- Shaper Sheet
- plaster ( hydrocal) or other material for hardening the surface.
- water
- metal hangers or get creative,just something to put on the back to hang from.
Primer your canvas with Gesso ,etc. This will give a nice sealed work area.
Please: always be careful,read instructions and remember to use tools designated for art purposes.
Never,never put plaster or plaster water down the drain,clean brushes and tools in water bucket and dispose of in proper waste area.
I take no responsibility for your project or you.
STEP 2: Canvas Design.
This is really up to you. Shaper Sheet is 18"x 72" my project and for demo purposes is 6 3/4" x 6 3/4" cube, the sides are 2 " deep with a 1/8" rolled edge this is optional. So 11"x 11" piece was needed for this project.
If your project is much larger, you can join two pieces of the sheet together.
Design can be what ever you dream up, a true custom canvas.
STEP 3: Cut Material.
Cut an 11"x 11" piece of SS and fold edges over 1/8"
There are 2 choices here. You can use a form under Shaper Sheet to keep everything in proportion, or it can be free form. I have chosen to use my 2" foam salvage. The edges of the foam were glued together to create a 6 3/4" x 6 3/4" x 2" block, this form will be used to create multiple canvases.
STEP 4: Forming the SS & Coating
Lay out the SS, foil side up, mark grid to find center, locate center on edges of foam cube. This helps for cube placement. Starting on one edge, line up foam, and mark corners, after all 4 sides have corners marked cut them out. You can leave a little extra on one side, if you want to fold a little over. I just cut mine square; the plaster will help cover the edges.
You can use tape to hold up sides, but it is much cleaner to use the t-pins, that is if you are using a block of foam as your form, otherwise use foil tape when putting corners together, this makes the edge secure from the inside.
If you decide not to use a form, plaster your top and let dry before you fold up the edges it will be sturdy that way.
The idea of having foam blocks to form on, are so when plastering,there is no waiting for top to dry the whole piece can be done, I can keep them for future use, time not wasted and the canvas will match all the others.
Prepare your area for water and plaster, don’t work around electrical or anything that be damaged by water.
Mist the fabric side, lightly. Mix up the plaster making it thin like heavy cream, brush all over fabric. Coat well, if you want a thick smooth surface use a straight edge or as the plaster starts to set up lay a piece of paper and lightly rub.
After it is dried, it can have a light sanding to smooth even more, just wear a dust mask and do out side if you can.
Let it dry!!
STEP 5: Removing the Form.
These steps when written out are so long.
Placed in the backside of my form, are 2 screws, only screwed in when pulling it loose from the Shaper Sheet, this step is up to you, otherwise get a hold of the edge and pull free, carefully.
Hot glue or tape the corners for extra support.
Attaching the hanger, is very easy and there are ways to create your own by recycling. I have these particular ones that are just a wire with a loop, bend the wires backward and glue, flush to the inside and then with foil tape secure even more.
Done, well except for the art. I have a couple of samples for you, can’t wait to see what all of you create.
STEP 6: Finished Pieces.
I am currently working on one more canvas for Nick that is a portion of The Starry Night painting that has the swirls, it will be a 3 1/2 inch standoff, 4" tall and 8" long. He can then choose to take the piece he likes best.
Once again, this has been so much fun and thank you for joining in with me, until next time.
Thanks! Jewels