Vintage photographs and postcards have a mysteriousness that makes us wonder about the people, places, and things in them. This vintage photo project doesn’t require a truly old picture at all. Any contemporary photo will do for crafting it, but the way in which the photo is manipulated is what gives it an aged feel.
A small canvas that’s easily obtained at a craft store serves as the foundation for this project and once completed, the result is a dead ringer for an authentic vintage image. The surface of the picture is flawed, has evidence of lines from folds, and is faded at certain points, lending it a worn, age-old look. The finished piece might look right at home next to a grouping of old books or an ornate Victorian lamp.
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Materials
- Sheet of 12-inch by 12-inch wax paper
- Miniature canvas, about 4 inches by 4 inches
- Jar of Liquitex matte gel
- Paintbrush
- A square photograph that is just a bit smaller than the canvas
- Small glass or bowl of water
- Kitchen sponge
- Sheet of 12-inch by 12-inch wax paper
- Miniature canvas, about 4 inches by 4 inches
- Jar of Liquitex matte gel
- Paintbrush
- A square photograph that is just a bit smaller than the canvas
- Small glass or bowl of water
- Kitchen sponge
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Instructions
1. Spread a 12-inch by 12-inch square of wax paper on your work surface and place a 4-inch by 4-inch miniature canvas on top of it.
1. Spread a 12-inch by 12-inch square of wax paper on your work surface and place a 4-inch by 4-inch miniature canvas on top of it.
2. Using a paintbrush, coat the top of the canvas with Liquitex matte gel.
3. Take a square photo that is slightly smaller than the canvas and place it, image face down, in the center of the square canvas.
4. Dip a kitchen sponge into a glass of water. Squeeze the excess water from it.
5. Run the damp sponge across the photograph's surface while applying light pressure, until the image that is on the front of the photo starts to “bleed” through the back of the photo.
6. Peel away the now-moist photo backing with your fingernails.
7. The photo’s image will now be visible, but it will have lines, uneven shading and other charactertisics that make it look antique.
8. The piece is ready to be displayed.
It doesn't matter if the photo subject is a person or a vase filled with roses, the aged patina the crafter provides makes it truly unique.
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