HOW TO MAKE A MIXED MEDIA CANVAS WITH AN EMPTY CHIPBOARD SHEET

Inside: how to make a mixed media canvas with an empty chipboard sheet

What do you do with your empty chipboard sheet after you take out all the shapes? You are left with a sheet full of holes in all kinds of shapes right?

Did you know you can use it to make a mixed media canvas?

WHY USE AN EMPTY CHIPBOARD SHEET AS AN ART MATERIAL

Other than the fact that using the empty chipboard sheet is utterly cool, here are few more reasons why it's a good idea:

• You save money - instead of buying supplies to make a mixed media canvas you use what you already have
• Recycle and reuse - being a caring artist is important and we all do what we can to minimize the amount of trash we throw
• It's creative - using an unusual material in a project forces you to be creative and think about things in a new way

Check out some more ideas of using unusual elements in your projects

HOW TO USE AN EMPTY CHIPBOARD SHEET

Part of being an artist is to train yourself to think outside the box. So when you have something like an empty chipboard sheet you can look at it as trash and as something to throw away or you can look at it as a material, as a supply to work with.

I had a chipboard sheet with different size holes and when I looked at it an ideas came to me to use it as a base for a mixed media canvas.

HOW TO CREATE THE MIXED MEDIA CANVAS

Step #1

I started this canvas with an idea. I was working on a different project, using some chipboard cogwheels and when they were all finished only the outer sheet remained. I looked at it and knew immediately I had to use it in a project. I just loved the square sheet with the different size holes.

So I started with adding texture to a canvas with modeling paste and then glued the chipboard sheet on the canvas. The textured paste created enough height that the chipboard was slightly raised from the canvas.

Step #2

I took different found items, metal objects and other embellishments and inside the holes. I went with industrial, steampunk look of course and used all kinds of materials. I also used some faces made with molds and clay. At this point I didn't care about the color of the items just their shape and their size so they can fit inside the holes of the empty chipboard sheet.

Step #3

When I was happy with their arrangement I removed them and painted the background with black gesso. I glued all the items to their place and covered them with black gesso too. You will probably need more than one coat of gesso to cover everything completely.

I had a clock which I left outside and didn't paint it because I wanted it to stay in its original color.

Step #4

Finally it was time to add color! I used metallic paints and waxes in different shades of red to paint the canvas. I also added a little silver wax for some accents. I really like how it turned out... what do you think?

SUPPLIES

Modeling Paste     Face Molds       Black Gesso     Metallic Paint    Matallic Wax

If you don't like the steampunk look you can use an empty chipboard sheet to create a mixed media canvas in another styles. All you need to do is change the colors you use. If you make the canvas with lighter colors then use a white gesso to cover everything. Then you can add flowers, hearts of other items depending on your chosen theme for the canvas.

Here is a great idea for a mixed media canvas with some recycled and reused items

Have fun creating!