How do I Paint Tiny Canvases?
Miniatures are so intriguing. Tiny Canvas Painting Ideas are no exception. I mean, who doesn’t love miniatures? I’m hoping that our grands enjoy this project when we try it when the next time they are here.
Well until then, let’s try it ourselves!
Here's the Painting Tiny Canvases Video if you prefer
Tiny Canvas Art Prep
Always start by covering your work surface with newspaper or a vinyl tablecloth.
Tip: I cut up a vinyl tablecloth into large rectangle squares, like giant place mats. It’s easy to take out one or several to cover the work surface for each child that is crafting.
Of course, a paint apron is never a silly idea.
Tiny Canvases- mini canvases for painting
The miniature canvases are found in many discount craft sections. I got mine in a craft store but have seen them in many discount stores.
I picked up a couple packages on sale the other day. That is what spurred this post! I couldn’t pass them up and knew they would be fun for us to try with the grands.
Choose your design
Even though the canvases are tiny, it is still a good idea to draw a design idea or find a picture you will use for your design inspiration.
On a piece of paper, trace around the canvas so the size of your drawing is correct. This is helpful in testing to see if your idea will work well in miniature.
Tiny canvas painting tutorial
Paint the entire miniature canvas the background color of your design using acrylic craft paints. To get the edges of the tiny canvases, you will need to hold them with your fingers. Be prepared to get a bit messy!
Transfer the pattern you designed earlier onto your canvas or draw a design with pencil on your canvas. You can use carbon paper to do this if you want. Or cover the back of the design with pencil and then when you place your design on top of the canvas and draw over it, it will transfer to the canvas!
The canvas is small so it will be hard to make a lot of details. Draw a simple butterfly, a simple daisy, a design, or a simple landscape for example. That is what we demonstrate on the Tiny Canvas Painting Ideas Video tutorial. Be inspired by whatever is around you.
Tiny Canvas Painting- paint/brushes
Put some small dots of acrylic craft paint on your foam plate. It takes very little paint for these Tiny Canvas Painting Ideas- tiny canvas, tiny dots of paint! 😉
Tip: You can use a regular plate for this if you wish. The paint will wash off.
Because your designs will by tiny, use small brushes for this painting. It is frustrating to have a big brush when trying to make small designs. I like smaller round brushes for painting on a tiny canvas. The round brushes come to a fine point and will make painting some details easier.
Use the small round brushes to paint the design, you may need to hold the canvas in your fingers as you work.
Repeat this fun process with one or two other designs on the other tiny canvases.
Miniature Canvas Ideas
There are lots of ways you can use these tiny painted canvases.
Display the tiny canvas on a little easel. I’ve seen these miniature easels many places including craft stores and discount stores. Place the easel next to a plant or vase of flowers.
Tip: You can purchase the small canvases with a little easel. Who knew? This is easier for sure.
A series of 2 or three tiny painted canvases could be hot glued to a ribbon and hung up on the wall. So cute!
Another great option is hot gluing a craft magnet on the back and putting it up on fridge.
Whatever you choose to do, Tiny Canvas Painting Ideas make wonderful gifts and don’t take very long to make.
Other painting ideas from WTN:
- Watercolor Resist Painted Windsock
- DIY Painted Book Covers for Decor or Use
- Painting Rocks Found in Their Pockets
Enjoy!
If you try this craft, let me know! Go ahead and leave a comment, rate it, and tag a photo with #WelcometoNanas wherever you post.
Come join the fun at https://welcometonanas.com
Tiny Canvas Painting Ideas and Video
Equipment
- Smaller round paint brushes
Items Required
- Tiny canvases (these are about 3" by 3" in size)
- Little easel for display
- OR- Tiny canvases WITH easels (too cool)
- Acrylic craft paints
- OR craft magnets for the back
- OR ribbon to hang them one above the other
- Hot glue gun and glue
Instructions
- Draw a design idea or find a picture you will use for your design inspiration. On a piece of paper, trace around the canvas so the size of your drawing is correct.
- Paint the entire miniature canvas the background color of your design using acrylic craft paints.
- Transfer the pattern you designed earlier onto your canvas or draw a design with pencil on your canvas.
- Put some small dots of acrylic craft paint on your foam plate.
- Use the small round brushes to paint the design, you may need to hold the canvas in your fingers as you work.
- Display the tiny canvas on a little easel, hot glue magnets to the back or hot glue to a ribbon for hanging. SO CUTE!!
Video
Supplies for Tiny Canvas Painting Ideas:
- Tiny canvases (these are about 3" by 3" in size)
- Tiny canvases WITH easels (too cool)
- Acrylic craft paints
- Smaller round paint brushes
- Foam plate to use as a paint palette
- Carbon paper for copying design (optional)
- Little easel for display
- OR craft magnets for the back
- OR ribbon to hang them one above the other
- Hot glue gun and glue
- Vinyl table cloth (optional)
- Paint apron (optional)
Emily says
I love this piece of art