Making The Colorful Nursery Canvas

Our colorful nursery design started with an idea that the crib headwall should have a GIANT COLORFUL background. We landed on a solution to stretch a 7’x7’ canvas and using an ink that resists alcohol create an ethereal feel.

An incredible artist friend stretched the canvas. You should have seen the guys loading it, or shall I say strapping it for dear life onto the back of the truck.

After a white knuckle car ride, the canvas was finally in a place that it could be worked on. After applying 3 coats of gesso, so the watercolor would sit on the surface, the canvas was ready.

Using alcohol links from Michaels, like these, drip ink in the areas you want on the canvas. Spray with alcohol and water to move the ink around the canvas. Because of the scale of the canvas an air compressor came in handy to help move the ink around. Eventually when enough ink and water got on the canvas simply picking up the sides of the canvas would move around the ink.

Overall it took about 5 rounds of applying ink to the canvas with drying periods in between. But it was so cathartic to move the ink around the canvas. So we may have kept going because it was fun.

LIST OF PRODUCTS YOU CAN USE:

• Ink

• Canvas

• Canvas Frame

• Gesso

• Alcohol

• Spray bottle

• Water

• Air compressor - if you already have one. Gravity works perfect and it’s free!