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Craft Tutorials | Adult Crafts | Crafts for Seniors | Swirl Tree on Canvas

Swirl Tree on Canvas

Author by Amanda Davis on February 17, 2014 Updated on January 15, 2019

5 from 3 votes
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Swirl Tree on Canvas by @amandaformaro Crafts by Amanda

 

Tree art is big and canvas is pretty affordable, especially when you use an in-store coupon! I love making my own wall art. In fact, I don’t think I’ve actually bought anything for my walls in years! For this project I decided to try creating a resist-look on canvas using three dimensional paint paints and a bit of sandpaper.

Swirl Tree on Canvas by @amandaformaro Crafts by Amanda

The result was a pretty cool looking piece of art that’s different than anything I’ve done before.

Swirl Tree on Canvas by @amandaformaro Crafts by Amanda

I used Americana Writers for this project. The full supply list is in the printable version below. I used a 10 x 10 stretched canvas as well.

Swirl Tree on Canvas by @amandaformaro Crafts by Amanda

I started off by sketching out an idea for the tree. I drew the swirls first, then added in a few lines for the basics of the trunk and branches.

Swirl Tree on Canvas by @amandaformaro Crafts by Amanda

Then I used that basic idea to fill in more swirls, the branches and the trunk.

Swirl Tree on Canvas by @amandaformaro Crafts by Amanda

I then took pencil to canvas, just doing some very light sketching, and only of the large swirls and the basic shape of the trunk. I just wanted to give myself a starting point. Be careful though, it’s hard to cover pencil marks with white paint, so sketch lightly and only very basic shapes that you will be able to cover with the 3D Writers.

Swirl Tree on Canvas by @amandaformaro Crafts by Amanda

I started by making the large swirls first, using the Americana Writers.

Swirl Tree on Canvas by @amandaformaro Crafts by Amanda

I used a different color for each swirl.

Swirl Tree on Canvas by @amandaformaro Crafts by Amanda

Next I added in medium and small swirls using all the different colors.

Swirl Tree on Canvas by @amandaformaro Crafts by Amanda

Swirl Tree on Canvas by @amandaformaro Crafts by Amanda

Then came the basic shape of the branches and trunk using the Black Americana Writer. Next I filled in the gaps to create the final shape of the branches and trunk.

Swirl Tree on Canvas by @amandaformaro Crafts by Amanda

Swirl Tree on Canvas by @amandaformaro Crafts by Amanda

Fill in the trunk with a bit of the black Writer and spread it out with a paintbrush.

Swirl Tree on Canvas by @amandaformaro Crafts by Amanda

Add in a few dots using the Writers. To make dots without a tail at the top, squeeze the Writer straight down, gently inserting the tip into the dot. Release the pressure, gently lift up and as if drawing a circle, trace the tip around the top of the dot. This will allow the paint to drop onto itself, rather than creating that “top of the ice cream cone” swirl.

Swirl Tree on Canvas by @amandaformaro Crafts by Amanda

When you’re happy with your design, set it aside to dry completely. This can take several hours.

Swirl Tree on Canvas by @amandaformaro Crafts by Amanda

Swirl Tree on Canvas by @amandaformaro Crafts by Amanda

Using Americana Cool White, paint the entire surface of the canvas white; covering the entire tree design. Allow this to dry completely before moving to the final steps

Swirl Tree on Canvas by @amandaformaro Crafts by Amanda

Use sandpaper to gently remove the dried white paint from the color designs underneath. If sanding the painted trunk isn’t enough, dry brush some Americana Lamp Black lightly onto the trunk until you are happy with the results.

You might also like:

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Print Project
5 from 3 votes

Swirl Tree on Canvas

Supplies

Americana Writers:

  • Bubblegum Pink
  • Lavender
  • Calypso Blue
  • Christmas Green
  • Christmas Red
  • Black

Dazzling Metallics Elegant Finish Writers:

  • Silver
  • Gold
  • Americana acrylic paint – Cool White
  • 10 ” x 10” canvas
  • Paintbrush
  • Sandpaper
  • Sheet of paper
  • Pencil

Instructions

  • Start by making the large swirls first, using the Americana Writers. I used a different color for each swirl.
  • Next add in medium and small swirls using all the different colors.
  • Next add the basic shape of the branches and trunk using the Black Americana Writer. Fill in the gaps to create the final shape of the branches and trunk. Fill in the trunk with a bit of the black Writer and spread it out with a paintbrush.
  • Add in a few dots using the Writers. To make dots without a tail at the top, squeeze the Writer straight down, gently inserting the tip into the dot. Release the pressure, gently lift up and as if drawing a circle, trace the tip around the top of the dot. This will allow the paint to drop onto itself, rather than creating that “top of the ice cream cone” swirl.
  • When you’re happy with your design, set it aside to dry completely. This can take several hours.
  • Using Americana Cool White, paint the entire surface of the canvas white; covering the entire tree design. Allow this to dry completely before moving to the final steps.
  • Use sandpaper to gently remove the dried white paint from the color designs underneath. If sanding the painted trunk isn’t enough, dry brush some Americana Lamp Black lightly onto the trunk until you are happy with the results.

I originally created this project for DecoArt.

  • Author
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Amanda Davis
Amanda Davis is the crafty, entrepreneurial mother of four children. She loves to bake, cook, make kid's crafts and create decorative items for her home. She is a crafting expert and guru in the kitchen and has appeared online and in print publications many times over the years.
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Filed Under: Crafts for Seniors, Home Decor Projects, Spring Crafts, Summer Crafts Tagged With: adult, adult craft ideas, adult crafts, adults, canvas, crafts for adults, spring, tree, wall art

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Comments

  1. Leigh Ann Rodgers says

    March 21, 2015 at 11:05 pm

    Amanda I have gotten some really great ideas from you website. I actually think I’m going to take your advice on the paint but maybe venture out & try a different picture! Please keep those ideas coming. We love them!

    Reply
    • Amanda Formaro says

      April 2, 2015 at 7:39 am

      Thanks Leigh, hope you enjoy whatever you decide to do! :)

      Reply
  2. Lana @ Never Enough Thyme says

    February 24, 2014 at 10:41 am

    Really pretty and different, Amanda! I think I could almost do this one myself :-)

    Reply
  3. nancy says

    February 24, 2014 at 6:36 am

    And can I use Tulip puffy paint?

    Reply
    • Amanda Formaro says

      February 24, 2014 at 9:20 am

      Hi Nancy. I don’t know as I didn’t experiment with Puffy Paint. I would recommend trying it on a test block of some sort, like a small piece or wood.

      Reply
  4. nancy says

    February 24, 2014 at 6:35 am

    I’m thinking of doing this project at a kids camp, where we have limited time to finish projects. Could we use hair dryers to hurry along the drying process?

    Reply
    • Amanda Formaro says

      February 24, 2014 at 9:21 am

      I wouldn’t use a hair dryer as the force of it could spread the paint. This really isn’t a project where you want to rush it. You could try fans, but I still wouldn’t recommend it.

      Reply
  5. Pam says

    February 22, 2014 at 10:44 am

    Hi Amanda,
    I love this project; We just redid our kitchen and dining room in the last few months, and I have been searching for some ideas to decorate the walls. Love the idea and the instructions; thanks for sharing Thank you also for stopping by and visiting my blog, and for posting the clothespin airplanes on your facebook; I appreciate it very much. Also, I am delighted to have your link, as I can see that I am going to have a nice time searching through your projects.
    Blessings,
    Pam

    Reply
    • Amanda Formaro says

      February 23, 2014 at 6:21 am

      Thanks Pam! I hope you have a good time making it, it was fun!

      Reply
  6. DesignedByBH says

    February 21, 2014 at 2:01 am

    What a neat idea! I love this! :)
    Stumbled and pinned.

    – Brooke –

    Reply
  7. Mabel Watson says

    February 17, 2014 at 11:18 am

    I love this idea!!!! I volunteer for a children with cancer center and this is something they can do together with siblings and parents. I am a huge fan of your work. Thanks for sharing your talent.

    Reply
    • Amanda Formaro says

      February 21, 2014 at 7:15 am

      Thanks so much Mabel!

      Reply
5 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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