Get inspired with these 30+ DIY wall art projects! Ranging from very easy to intermediate, you’ll love this variety of canvas art ideas.
Scroll down to the bottom of the post to get a video of some affordable wall art being made with Mod Podge. Such great inspiration!
Are you looking for some great ideas for Mod Podging a canvas? I’ve pulled several together for you. The truth is, I love Mod Podging on canvas and making wall art. It’s a blast, and so easy.
Easy Canvas Art
Sometimes people look at a blank canvas and they just aren’t sure what to do with it. I mean let’s face it – we’re all not Picasso. If you told me to freehand paint something on canvas, you’d probably be disappointed.
That’s why I like DIY wall art with Mod Podge so much.
I promise that all of the ideas included in this post are achievable, and you don’t need artistic talent or training to do them. You can have canvas art to decorate your walls by this afternoon!
Before we jump into the DIY wall art projects, I think it’s important to answer a few questions that I get regularly. Read these before you Mod Podge on canvas.
DIY Canvas Art FAQs
What are standard art canvas sizes?
I try to encourage people not worry about about canvas sizes for their project. You should get a canvas to fit the space you are eyeing and then size up or down as needed.
Having said that, I really like the 16 x 20 canvas size for wall art. It’s substantial enough; not too small and not too large. If you have no idea what size to start with, try the 16 x 20.
What paints to use on canvas?
I recommend, since you aren’t painting masterpieces, just using an acrylic paint from the craft store for these canvas art projects. My favorite acrylic paint is FolkArt Multisurface as well as Martha Stewart. The color palettes for both of these lines are awesome, and the paints flow really well on canvas. They also cover really well.
What can you use on canvas besides paint?
Just about anything, if you have a bottle of Mod Podge! I’ve used felt, cardboard, scrapbook paper, fabric, jewelry, stamps, Sharpie, coloring pages, and more. Learn what you can use with Mod Podge that won’t bleed.
Do you need to prime canvas for acrylic paint?
Generally speaking, you don’t. Most of the canvas I buy at the craft store is pre-primed, so I don’t have to worry. Even if you buy canvas for DIY wall art and it’s not primed, you’ll be fine just to start painting.
Having said that, you might have to add a few more coats of acrylic paint just because it will soak in. The paint also won’t flow quite as well across the top of the canvas. What you can do if you want to prime your canvas is paint it white, or add a coat of Mod Podge over the canvas. Then you can paint on top with ease.
Should you paint the sides of a canvas?
Yes, I always do, especially with the gallery wrapped canvases. This is because I typically don’t hang canvas items with a frame, so you can see the edges and tell that they are unfinished.
Sometimes I wrap the fabric or paper around the sides too. The only time I would leave an unfinished edge is if I were going to frame.
DIY Wall Art Tips
In addition to the FAQ above, I have a few tips for you when you’re Mod Podging a canvas. These are a few things you should keep in mind:
- Use enough Mod Podge; be liberal. Any that squeezes out the sides, just wipe away.
- If you use paper or fabric to cover the canvas, flip over and smooth from the back, inside the frame. Make sure you use a craft mat to cover your table for this reason.
- Use any Mod Podge formula you like. Our formula guide will help. Brushstroke Mod Podge is great for when you’re done and you want to add a bit of texture to the canvas.
Now enjoy these Mod Podge canvas projects – just take a peek at the projects below, and click on your favorites to see them!
Learn how to use Mod Podge on canvas by trying one of these unique projects!
Add Pictures to Canvas
Learn how to glue pictures on canvas with Mod Podge! This is a great project for instant decor.
Comic Book Canvas
Use comic books (or color copies!) and Mod Podge to make this DIY superhero canvas craft - a great gift for guys or any comic book lover!
Magazine Collage
Learn how to make a collage with Mod Podge! This magazine collage is easy enough for anyone to make, and it can be personalized.
Make Dress Art on a Budget
This Ballard Designs inspired DIY canvas art is so easy! Create your own decor in just a few minutes, with your favorite papers and Mod Podge.
Photo Transfer to Canvas
Learn how to do an image transfer to canvas using Mod Podge photo transfer medium.
American Flag Canvas with Fabric and Mod Podge
Make unique and EASY American flag canvas art with fabric and Mod Podge! Perfect for the 4th or for just showing off your USA pride.
Photo Booth Simple Canvas Art
This photo strip canvas makes a great gift, and you can customize it with portraits of your pets, friends, or family members!
How to Make a Monogram Canvas
Add a unique, personalized touch to your DIY home decor with this monogram canvas! It's easy to make with a few simple supplies.
Poster on Canvas
If you’ve ever wanted to decoupage a poster to a canvas, it can be done! Christy has a tutorial that will show you how with Mod Podge.
Beautiful (and Easy) Watercolor Collage
Make this simple watercolor collage by cutting up watercolor paintings and decoupaging them to canvas. This wall art project is SO easy!
Instagram Mini Canvases in a Few Steps
Here’s an EASY tutorial for making Instagram mini canvases using Mod Podge. Mini canvas craft ideas fun and simple – and these make great gifts.
Easy Fabric Canvas Art with Mod Podge
This fabric canvas art uses fun, patterned fabric for the background. Just add a painted wood cut out to the front for instant wall decor.
Painted Pear Canvas
I made this Mod Podge canvas art by adding a ton of patchwork fabric shapes to canvas with Mod Podge, then painting a fruit right on top.
Budget Friendly DIY Canvas Art
Learn how to transfer an image to canvas with Mod Podge. I did this with a few of my favorite prints – you can do it with your favorites too!
Our Family Rules Tutorial
Turn important family rules into a cute piece of wall art.
French Fruit Wall Art
This Mod Podge canvas art was inspired by a popular online store - it looks great and costs a fraction of the price.
Quotes on Canvas
Learn how to apply quotes to canvases with Mod Podge! It's a lot easier than you think.
EASY DIY Canvas Art with Plastic Animals
This cute DIY canvas art made with plastic animals is such a fun and easy idea! Mini canvas art like this is perfect for a nursery, kids’ room, or craft studio. You can complete this project in five simple steps.
Make Paint Chip Art from a Rectangular Canvas
If you want to make sure you have a unique canvas project as part of your decor, check out this easy paint chip art made with Mod Podge.
How To Make Tissue Paper Canvas Art
If you have leftover tissue paper you won't be using for presents, turn it into wall art with Mod Podge.
Easy Geode Canvas
Learn how to make a DIY geode canvas in three steps! This home decor project is a great way to add beautiful art to your wall, on a budget.
Photo Wall Art
Use 12 (or more) of your favorite images to create personalized Mod Podge canvas art to hang in your family room.
Flower Wall Art
Create a unique floral collage on canvas using your favorite paper or fabric scraps.
Make your Own Doily Wall Art the Easy Way
I created wall art using scrapbook paper doilies from the dollar bins at the craft store.
Make Nautical Wall Art in Three Easy Steps
Are you inspired by seaworthy decor? This nautical wall art is easy to make with Mod Podge - and uses a fun color palette.
Art by Debbie Saenz
Debbie will show you the easy way to get a mixed media effect - and the result is this beautiful bird canvas.
DIY Sewing Pattern Collage Canvas
Learn how to make this unique collage canvas with sewing patterns! You can use this technique to do a variety of wall art projects.
How to Decoupage Napkins on Canvas
Are you wondering how to decoupage napkins on canvas? Learn how to do it with this emoji canvas project. Such a fun idea and very easy!
Wedding Card Collage You'll Want to Display
This wedding card collage is so easy to make. Don’t keep those beautiful cards in a box – make a unique piece of wall art that you can display!
DIY Halloween Wall Art Made with Buttons
Make EASY Halloween wall art using buttons! This canvas art project is so easy, even a kid could make it. Perfect Halloween decor!
Map Canvas Art is Easy to Make
This unique hand lettered map canvas art is an easy and budget friendly way to decor a wall – plus you can customize with any words you like!
This DIY Photo Art Is Perfectly Personalized
Learn how to make this unique photo art using the initials of your choice! SO easy that anyone can do it. Such simple and unique DIY decor.
Mixed Media Canvas
Learn how to make a mixed media canvas with scrapbook paper and Mod Podge! This was a fun experiment with cute chipboard accents. So easy.
Ready to decoupage on canvas? Grab a canvas here and get started with one of these 20 ideas! If you want to see a video of some abstract Mod Podge canvases, simply press “PLAY” in the center of the video in this post!
Sara
Thursday 22nd of August 2013
Love these! I recently came across some sample wall paper that I want to turn into wall art. Will mod podge work on wall paper too?
Amy
Thursday 22nd of August 2013
Hi Sara! Yes it will - I've seen people use it many times :D
JustKraft
Monday 15th of April 2013
Wonderful and fun filled!! Thanks for this beautiful idea.
jenward
Sunday 16th of December 2012
i am a preschool teacher. This yr the kids made gingerbread men ornaments and painted them. Can we use modge podge to apply photos of the kids faces on the ornaments? The surfaces of course are not flat or smooth made by 3 yr olds. How would you apply the pics of the faces on? And the pics are on plain printer paper.
Destiny
Saturday 24th of November 2012
Hi I need a lil help here with the mod podge. I have a 12 by 12 canvas. How do you put scrapbook paper on the canvas properly without the bubbles?
Amy
Sunday 25th of November 2012
Hi Destiny! I recommend watching my videos at youtube.com/modpodgerocks - you'll follow the same basic idea for the basics video, but I also recommend flip the canvas over and smoothing from the inside of the canvas as well. You also need to use A LOT of Mod Podge. :D
Heather
Friday 16th of November 2012
I would like to make a canvas family photo with one of the recent pictures we had done and I am not sure which is the best way to have the photo printed cause I have seen some that some people use ink photos and others use poster which do you think will work better? I have never done this before so it will be my first time and I love the way the gallery wrap looks that are sold online ... is this something I could do if I print the picture big enough to go around the whole canvas? Thanks so much for your help and advise :)!
Amy
Friday 16th of November 2012
Hi Heather! Laserjet is your best way to go if you want to Mod Podge it down (no smearing) and also I wouldn't go for gallery wrapping unless you are a pretty seasoned Mod Podger. It's difficult to wrap paper around canvas.