Subway Art

 Something that I've never heard before was Subway Art.  Who else didn't know about this?! Well shame on you all you haven't told me about it because not only is it eclectic but it's versatile too.


The very talented Jen over at Tatertos and Jello gave a wonderful tutorial for a Valentine's Day inspired piece of Subway art.

Isn't she so talented?!  Well I took just a little bit of a spin on it, mainly because I'm poor and vinyl lettering is EXPENSIVE!  She said that you could decoupage words that are printed out from the computer but I wasn't sure how to do it and not have the paper show... Here's my attempt at another tutorial...this time with pictures!

Materials Needed:

• 11x14 canvas
• Acrylic Paint Sealer
• 5 colors ( I did cream, red, light pink, bright pink, and black)
• Light pencil
• Fine Sandpaper
• Painters Tape
• vinyl words
• 11x14 frame
• Paint brushes and sponges

Instructions:

1. Paint the entire canvas the lightest shade you have.  Do this at least 3 times.  You'll be sanding later on so you want to make sure that not to much of the canvas is showing.

    
      2.  After you've painted it a few times take some painters tape and make different rectangles and   
           squares.

        3.  Now paint each square a different color.  Be careful not to glob on the paint but try to get it as
             smooth as possible because you'll be putting vinyls on later.  You'll want to do 3 coats 

       4.  After the paint is completely dry take the painters tape off.  NICE JOB!

   
      5.  Take the light pencil and very lightly outline whatever you'd like to paint on.  I chose hearts
           because it's for valentine's day.  After your happy with the designs paint the insides first staying
           about 1/4 in. away from the edge.  After you've done all the hearts, then go and do the borders.
           Once the borders are done and with the smallest paintbrush fill in the gap between.  Your going
           going to go over the insides one more time because you really want the colors to show through.

       6.  Now make sure the paint is completely dry.  While you wait your going to get your last coat
            ready by adding just a small amount of water to a light shade and mixing it really well.  Now
            take a sponge and paint it all over.  Try to get as smooth of strokes as possible, but don't stress
            you'll be sanding later.

 
      7.  So now it's completely dry your going to go over the whole thing with a small sheet of fine sand
           sand paper.  I went until there were little white specks coming off.  I did a little more because I
           wanted more of a weathered antiqued look.  After you've sanded to your liking, then take a wet
           paper towel and wipe off the excess dust.

        8.  Let it dry for a few minutes then arrange your vinyls were you'd like them placed.  After your
             set apply the vinyls

        9.  After the vinyl is applied them place the canvas in the 11x14 open frame (so remove the back
             and the glass.

Your all done!