Painting With Puzzle Pieces

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  Step 1

  I found a framed poster.

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  Step 2

  I took out the poster, flipped it over, and painted over the words on the back. It became my perfectly-sized canvas.

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  Step 3

  I sorted four Thrift Store puzzles into piles by color. (But I forgot to take a photo until later!)

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  Step 4

  I opted for a simple image.

  Here's a test drive of my puzzle piece placement.

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  Step 5

  I painted my design. I kept the above layout handy so I could get the proportions right, but it was still a bit nerve-racking because I had to have the sections wide enough for puzzle pieces to fit, but small enough so I could get the whole image on the "canvas."

  Originally I was going to have the background be quite pastel and faint, and was going to help the viewer see the image by outlining the shapes with a black paint pen. (Not a Sharpie! They smear when you apply sealant.)

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  Step 6

  Next, I made my sandwich, putting the painted picture and then the cardboard backing into the frame.

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  Step 7

  I stapled the frame, not the cardboard.

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  Step 8

  I used pliers to pull the staples half-way out of the wood. This keeps the cardboard in place. (I was just putting it back the way I found it, as I’d had to put staples out to get the thing apart in the first place.)

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  Step 9

  Working in small sections, I glued the pieces to the poster with a mixture of PVA glue (Elmer’s) and water. This is a forgiving and imprecise combination. Basically you want it as thick as you can while still being able to apply it with a brush.

  I was glad that I had made some extra piles of “mostly orange with some green” and “mostly green with some orange.” That was really helpful.

• Step 10

  I treated the puzzle pieces differently to emphasize the different areas, mostly by having the sky pieces be almost the only ones that weren’t touching. I didn’t really have enough puzzle pieces, but I was out of Thrift Store puzzles!

• Step 11

  I then sealed it with two coats of my beloved ModPodge.

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  Step 12

  Here is a close-up which lets you see how I used some of the "mostly green with a little orange" pieces.

• Step 13

  All done! I hope she likes it!

Comments

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J. Pario · Lincoln, Nebraska, US · 26 projects 21st December 2013

It was really easy and fun! (Granted, you'll probably want to use more than 4 puzzles, like I did.) If you do one yourself, be sure to share your version--I'd love to see it!

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Steph. · Reading, England, GB · 212 projects 21st December 2013

Oh, wow that's an awesome idea! It turned out really good as well

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