To create a family art display that represents everyone in your family, you’ll need enough primed canvases for each family member to have one. These are available in various sizes at any craft store- I got mine, on sale, at Michaels, in packs of two. Be sure to buy a disposable, foam craft roller or several while you’re there- they are perfect for rolling an even coat of paint onto the hand.
For the two adult hand prints, we did one hand. For the baby hand prints in the middle, I did both his hands and just let him have at it however he liked. For a really young baby, you might want to do footprints. Naturally, you could practice on regular paper a few times if you’re having trouble envisioning the results. Tip: Before you apply paint to any part of your baby, strip her to her diaper, make sure you are in an area that won’t be hurt by stray paint, and have an open container of wipes ready to go. My baby applied his hands to the canvas, and then immediately to his face, ear, and mouth. So he got the wipes treatment quickly followed by the bathtub treatment.
I used leftover wall paint from when we painted our room. If you don’t have any leftover wall paint, you can get a sample size container at any home store in a matching or complimentary color. Craft acrylics are also an option. Once the paint has dried, install picture hanging hardware on the stretchers in the back and display. You can, of course, frame them for a more traditional appearance.
My total cost for this project was under $10, because I got the canvases 60% off.
Supply list:
- Primed Canvases (1 per family member)
- Acrylic or latex (water base!!!) paint, small amount
- Foam craft roller
- picture hanging hardware
- baby wipes
- soap, water, and bathtub!
Hi Irene!When you seal your wood canvas with Gesso you have to allow it to dry copteemlly. I usually do multiple ones that way they are ready to go when I’m ready to paint on them.I usually do at least 2 layers of Gesso on all sides including the back (3 layers is ideal) for longevity.Once the Gesso is dry, then you can sketch on on it.I sketch on Vellum or Tracing paper first so all the erasing and corrections are done on that and not on the wood. Once I’m happy with the drawing then I transfer it using another piece of Velum that I have rubbed copteemlly with a 4B pencil, you can purchase transfer paper, but I just make it my self.By transferring the drawing, you keep the Gesso clean and then begin to paint.If you do not want to deal with transferring, you can always add a layer of clear coat to the pencil sketch that is on the wood, let it dry and then start painting. The lead will be sealed and will not mix with your colors.I hope that helps.You’ve given me a nice idea for a blog post and I’ll be explaining it using pictures.Take careMaggie