Creative Bento Collage

Materials and Tools:

1" x 2" poplar
finishing nails
raw canvas
staple gun and staples or canvas tacks
canvas gesso primer
paintbrush
spackle
sandpaper
handmade papers
acrylic paints
acrylic matte medium
eyehooks
picture wire
chop or hand saw
safety glasses
hammer
awl
scissors
ruler
pencil

Figure A

Steps:

1. Determine the size of the canvas and cut 1" x 2" poplar into measured sizes using a chop or hand saw.

2. Nail together the frame using finishing nails (figure A). Bury the nail heads into the frame using an awl.

3. Lay down the frame on the raw canvas and cut out a portion to fit the frame size.

Figure B

4. Use a staple gun or canvas tacking to secure the canvas to the back of the frame (figure B). Cut a triangular wedge of canvas from each corner and secure the remaining flap with staples or tacks.

5. Prime the canvas using a gesso canvas primer. Brush on a thick enough application to saturate the canvas.

Figure E

6. Spackle each canvas corner to smooth out canvas overlap (figure E). Sand the spackled corners smooth.

7. Paint handmade papers with acrylic washes to saturate with desired color or design. Hang the papers on a clothesline to dry.

Figure F

8. Cut or assemble the papers in desired fashion on canvas (figure F). Collage papers to the canvas using brushed-on acrylic matte medium.

9. Brush on matte finish to seal the canvas surface.

10. Add hooks and wire to the back of frame.

Website: www.onewhitebrow.com