Go from Yuck to Amazing Vintage and Learn How to Upcycle Art You Don’t Like

You know the term starving artist?  well, in today’s post, we can save some money by upcycling existing art that we either don’t like or was done when learning or experimenting.

If you can paint acrylics on it, it’s fair game so take a look around your craft room or studio.  Do you have anything that’s been shoved in a corner (poor little lonely thing), journals stacked up in a closet or canvases leaning up against the wall … GUILTY!

So let’s get started.

Below you’ll find a list of what I used and the video.

You know the term starving artist?  well, in today’s post, we can save some money by upcycling existing art that we either don’t like or was done when learning or experimenting.

What can you upcycle?

• an old canvas
• art journal
• functional wood pieces
• if you can paint acrylics on it… use it

Palette

DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics

• Transparent Yellow Iron Oxide – DMFA42
• Transparent Red Iron Oxide – DMFA41

DecoArt Americana Chalky Finish Acrylics

• Delicate – ADC11
• Escape – ADC20

Mediums:

• Americana Decou-Page Napkin Medium – DS126
• DecoArt Media White Gesso – DMM18

Collage Material

You can view the video how I created the collage material.  Fast-forward to the 20-minute mark and it’s around 5 minutes.

Here are the supplies needed to create this specific collage material.

Support

• the backing from a printed napkin

Stencils

• DecoArt Andy Skinner Mixed Media Stencil – Industrial Elements – Andy107

DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics

• Transparent Red Iron Oxide – DMFA41
• Payne’s Grey – DMFA20

Clear Choice Stencil Brush

• Medium Filbert (blue handle) – 1114

Brushes:

• Royal Brush Soft-Grip – #8 Bristle Bright – SG1425
• Royal Brush Aqualon – 3/4″ & 1″ Wash Glaze – 2700

General Supplies

• Royal Square Brush Basin – RD325
• Royal Essentials Palette Paper – RD358
• Royal Palette/Trowel Knives (LG2/LJG3)
• Baby Wipes/Kitchen Wipes
• Paper Towels
• No-Stick Mat
• Heat Gun