Unleashing Creativity: Plaster on Canvas Art Techniques for 2024

Last Updated on October 29, 2024 by Beth Martin

Imagine running your fingers across a painting and feeling its depth, texture, and soul! That’s the magic of plaster on canvas art.

Textured canvas art is everywhere on Instagram nowadays, and it’s easy to see why. The aesthetic is refined and modern, and even better, it doesn’t require much skill or tons of materials.

We live in an old house in Charleson, SC, so that means we have no shortage of cracked plaster walls and the need for joint compound. Luckily, textured canvas art is an entertaining way to turn leftover materials into new, beautiful wall decor!

I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to design your own modern textured art. Who knows, with your new skills, you might even be able to create a new side hustle!

Let’s explore the ins and outs of abstract textured artwork and unleash your creativity!

Before You Start Your DIY Plaster Art

Before I start working on any art project, I like to know where it will end up. There’s nothing worse than finishing a giant project and realizing you don’t have the space for it in your home!

Choose a canvas that will fit a specific place in your home. You may also be working on art to gift or sell, but I recommend becoming comfortable with this technique before committing too much.

If you want to start extra quickly, I recommend beginning with a smaller canvas – anything 12″ x 12″ or smaller will be best. Working first with a smaller canvas will let you experiment with textures, the thickness of the joint compound, and shapes without wasting too much material.

Textured canvas painting is straightforward and fun, but understanding how to layer the plaster can take a little time. The worst thing that can happen is your whole design will crack, but with these steps and a little practice, you can avoid that.

Also, before you start, consider how you plan to hang your piece.

Depending on the size of your canvas, your work may be heavy, so plan on using anchor bolts or screwing into a stud. For a modern look, you can also lean your piece up against a wall on either a mantel or a floating shelf.

Essential Materials for Plaster on Canvas Art

• Joint compound
• Stretched canvas
• Spray bottle with water (smaller is better because larger bottles break more easily)
• Putty knife or palette knife
• Notched trowel or other tools to create shapes with the plaster
• A cloth (you don’t mind getting dirty)
• Clear sealant (this dead flat version is fantastic)
• Wood shims (optional)
• Extra wood to support your canvas (optional)
• Painter’s tape (optional)
• Acrylic paint (optional)
• Frame (optional)

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Step-by-Step Guide to Creating DIY Plaster on Canvas Art

Step 1: Select And Prepare Your Canvas

Choose the size of the painting you want to make, then find a canvas that works for you. I love working with these 8×10 canvases, especially for your first try. They are large enough to create interesting shapes but not overwhelming for a beginner.

No matter the size you choose, your canvas should be made from cotton fabric and stretched on plywood stretchers so it is strong enough to hold the plaster.

Your canvas must be primed for the paint and joint compound to adhere to the surface properly. If you purchase the canvas option that I recommend, it’s pre-primed, so it saves you that step. Otherwise, you will need to paint your entire canvas, edges and all, with a coat or two of either gesso or a standard white house paint.

If you don’t want to buy too many new art supplies for a new hobby, an old canvas from a thrift store will work fine as long as you prime it. Or, if you are extra handy, feel free to build a DIY canvas.

When creating a very large textured canvas, I like to add additional structure shims to the back of my canvas. Skipping this step will put too much weight on the canvas and cause the joint compound to crack, and no one wants that!

Your canvas needs to be tight on the frame to hold your painting correctly. If your canvas fabric feels a little loose, just add a few wood shims to the back corners of the frame until it’s nice and tight.

Decide if you want to cover the edges of your canvas with plaster or leave them raw. I usually prefer the edges clean, so I use painter’s tape to cover any area I don’t want to have texture. This is just a design decision, so go with your gut here.

This is how I taped off my border. Using the thickness of the tape means less measuring, which is always a win:

Step 2: Time For Texture

Now is the time for the fun part – let’s paint!

You are ready to start if you are using my preferred pre-mixed joint compound. If the one you selected requires mixing, then mix it according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. The texture should be very smooth with no lumps.

I’ve found that even the pre-mixed joint compound needs to be worked with a bit before using it to get the texture perfect and the air bubbles out. I like to scoop up a small amount at a time and kind of “knead” it between two putty knives before using it.

Lightly spritz the entire canvas (front and back) with your water bottle. This step will help prevent cracking in the future. Then, using your palette knife or putty knife, add a thin layer of joint compound to the entire surface of your canvas.

With your knife, press firmly down on the joint compound to get an even coat and work out any bubbles that might appear. Now, you are ready to get creative and start painting.

There is no wrong answer here, so have fun with the process and let your imagination run wild with your painting. Use your textured trowels, your hands, paint brushes, a potato masher, or any tools you can imagine to move the joint compound around the canvas.

You can continue working on your design for quite a while as long as you aren’t using a quick-set joint compound. Try not to nitpick your work too much because the imperfections are what give this type of work charm.

Create modern shapes, make your textured canvas look like the moon’s surface, or cover the whole thing with abstract textures. Express yourself on your canvas art painting however you want!

As soon as you are happy with your painting and the textures you have achieved, you must remove any tape. I prefer to do this as soon as I’m done with my design and the joint compound is still fresh. If you wait too long to remove the painter’s tape, you risk pulling up your art when removing the tape.

With a damp (not wet) cloth, wipe away any bit of the painting or texture that you aren’t happy with. Only try to clean up small mistakes and changes that you aren’t quite happy with or you might mess up your whole project.

Step 3: Let Your Project Dry

This type of joint compound takes a while to dry, so set it to the side and let it dry for a few days.

Ensure you let your textured art dry on a flat, shaded surface. Leaning the painting against the wall or too much sunlight will put it at risk of cracking.

This is my least favorite part, but be patient with the process of this step. Anything that speeds up the dry time can put your project at risk for cracks, and no one wants their art to be ruined!

Step 4 (Optional): Add Color

This step is completely optional, but once your painting has dried for a few days, you can add color. Use acrylic or house paint to coat the whole canvas or just make certain details pop.

Painting is a great way to add extra character to your final piece.

Step 5: Seal Your Work

If you don’t choose to paint your whole canvas, it’s essential to seal your work. Without sealant, your project will be dusty and prone to chipping, so don’t skip this step.

I prefer to use a matte finish to preserve the integrity of my original art. Anything too shiny will make the painting feel plasticky (in my opinion).

Spray the entire painting with the sealant in thin layers. I typically like to use at least two coats but refer to the specific paint you are using.

Step 6: Add A Modern Frame

Framing is optional, but a floating frame can make your diy textured canvas art look extremely polished and professional. A floating frame for a canvas is easy to make and looks very modern and clean.

Other Ideas To Experiment With

Consider creating a diptych or triptych (two or three canvases of the same size that work together to look like one piece of art).

Paint your canvas a solid color first, then add joint compound on top. Or, add acrylic paint to your joint compound for a completely new look!

What other ideas do you have?

Final Thoughts

Plaster on canvas art opens up a world of tactile possibilities, allowing you to bring your creative visions to life in ways that traditional painting simply can’t match. Whether you’re drawn to subtle textures or bold, sculptural elements, this versatile medium offers endless opportunities for artistic expression.

DIY textured canvas painting is versatile and forgiving, perfect for beginners, seasoned artists, and even kids. And if you’re anything like me, it just feels good to get your hands dirty once in a while.

Let your creativity shine and tell your unique story through your texture art. Add crazy colors or use inventive objects to create your shapes. At the end of the day, adding your own art to your home will make your space feel more cozy.

Thank you so much for reading, and I hope you found this how-to guide helpful. If you did, please check out my DIY Plant Propagation Guide! As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions. I love hearing from you, and I always respond to every question or idea!

So grab your trowel and plaster, and let your imagination run wild! Who knows? Your next plaster on canvas masterpiece might just be the showstopper your living room’s been waiting for.

Remember, in the world of art, it’s not just about what you see – it’s about what you feel.

Cheers!