DIY Wall Decor: Make Faux-Screenprinted Pop Art

Chelsea Costa
Materials Needed:
- large blank canvas (this one is 48"x36")
- latex or craft paint in two bold colors
- 10" embroidery hoop
- organza or other sheer fabric
- foam paintbrush
- Mod Podge
- small craft paintbrush
- computer
- printer
- masking tape
- permanent marker
- yardstick
- scissors
- Download: Printable Camera Pattern
Add Base Color to Canvas
Cover the canvas with the base color of your choice. This may take two coats for an even look. Let dry completely before proceeding with screenprint.

Chelsea Costa

Chelsea Costa
Print, Cut and Trace the Design
Stretch organza across embroidery hoop and secure with the inner ring. Print out this free camera pattern download (or choose another pattern) and set the embroidery hoop and fabric over it, tracing around the black parts of the camera with a black permanent marker.

Chelsea Costa

Chelsea Costa

Chelsea Costa
Make a Screen
Begin to create a screen for printing by painting a thick layer of Mod Podge over all of the areas you don't want paint to appear. Use the small paintbrush to carefully cover all of the negative space. Let dry thoroughly, and add one to two more coats until the coverage is thick enough to block paint from seeping through. Trim the outer edges of the fabric from around the embroidery hoop.

Chelsea Costa
Make a Grid
Measure the size of the canvas and decide how many cameras will fit both horizontally and vertically. Make a grid with masking tape to mark off the spaces where each camera will go.

Chelsea Costa
Screenprint the Cameras
Once the ModPodge and the base color are both completely dry, set the screen down on the first marked-off area and load the foam brush with paint. Slowly and carefully drag paint over the screen so that it seeps through the areas without ModPodge coverage. Lift the screen once all areas of the camera are covered, and continue printing all the cameras in the same manner.
Tip: It may be best to practice the technique once on a piece of cardboard before printing on the canvas. Be careful not to allow too many bubbles to accumulate on the paintbrush or the screen. Drag the paintbrush rather than dabbing. Also, too much paint pushed through the screen will cause pooling and distort the camera shape. If paint does accumulate on the back side of your screen, simply wipe with a clean rag.

Chelsea Costa

Chelsea Costa

Chelsea Costa
Remove Tape and Hang
Once all paint is dry, remove the tape grid and hang. Then, step back and enjoy your new art piece!

Chelsea Costa