https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/turn-a-book-into-a-hangable-canvas • Posted by sarah.trumpp
I recently made it my mission to use all of the books I have laying around here (seriously there are hundreds), so I figured out an easy way to turn one into a canvas.
I recently made it my mission to use all of the books I have laying around here (seriously there are hundreds), so I figured out an easy way to turn one into a canvas.
My weighty things are road junk. Rusty pieces of god-knows-what that we found while we were out walking the dog - they're nice and heavy! If you don't have anything heavy and small, you can use masking tape and wrap it around the book vertically about 1.5 inches from the spine on both sides - I've done it like that and it works completely fine (you do have to add more glue after you take the tape off, though. DON'T FORGET IT!!). If you do have road junk or old irons or something, find what looks like the middle of the book and slap those babies down to hold it open and flat!
Once you have it all arranged to your satisfaction, get to gluin'! Start with white glue and apply a thick, globby layer to all of the edges of your pages, paying special attention to the spots where the pages meet the covers.
Once that is dry, apply an even thicker, globbier layer of gel medium, again paying special attention to where the pages and book meet.
When that is dry, make sure that your pages are all one block and that it is firmly attached to the cover. If not, you can run a bead of glue all around the edge. If you used tape, make sure you glue the spots that were covered by the tape once you remove it! My pages were attached without having to apply more glue, just FYI. At this point, the book will be pretty floppy, so you want to firm it up with wood on the back.
Normally I use a piece about 2 x 8 inches and place one on the top and the bottom. This time, since I used a big square piece, I only used one and screwed it down with four screws. This keeps the book rigid, keeps the pages attached, and gives you a place to add hanging hardware! Triple duty!
Once that's done, you're finished! as you can see, the book is nice and flat. It's very secure and hangs fabulously. Attach whatever hanging hardware you like!
To make the above painting, I started with yellow and turquoise Distress Paint...
And added some Turquoise Liquitex before brayering on some white and yellow
I used white acrylic along with water-soluble pastels to make my figures and used pink acrylic for the heart.
Detailed everything with a dip pen and ink...
Added some Gelli printed deli paper and stencils
and then finished it off with white acrylic to blend everything together! You can see a video of the whole painting process on youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgEZv37cXag