Project 14: Newsprint silhouettes

I wanted to make something a bit bigger this weekend as I’ve been making a lot of cards recently and my blog challenge was to try a variety of things. I saw this canvas project on Pinterest and thought I could make that. So I did.

I decided to try one first and then if I liked the technique I would do a bigger canvas or possibly a series of 2 or 3 to hang in a row.

All the materials were in my kit already, I just needed a canvas. I went to Wilkinsons to get one and found this one in the children’s art section for £1, about 20% of the price of the same canvas in the “adult” art section. Maybe I’ll get another one and colour in the lines for next week’s challenge. Does that count?

I followed the instructions on the site, covering the canvas in newspaper and then printing out a bird to get the silhouette, drawing on some branches and colouring everything in with a sharpie.

If I had some advice for next time (because I liked it enough to do a bigger one/series next time) it would be these points:

• Use a razor to cut out the bird – I started with scissors but it was a bit too delicate once covered in marker
• Use real Sharpies – not fakes – as the print-out colours on the bird came through and I had to go over the silhouette a few times
• Use spray mount on the newspaper and not glue or ModgePodge. I used spray mount and it made my life so much easier. I touched up the edges with normal craft glue but the spray mount was a joy.
• Use a fun part of the newspaper - I dug around until I found photos and maps to make ita bit more interesting. I should have used a different focal point than the Chancellor's budget briefcase.
• Clearly the quality of your printer doesn't matter as you just colour it all in black. Though I really should get a new printer cartridge.
  

I’ll let you know what silhouettes I go for next. I saw this similar project as well so I might try this one next…