How to paint on your canvas prints to make them look like a work of art! 😝

In this video I team up with my good friend and artist Jen Hillenga as she shows me a very cool technique for turning printed photos on canvas into real works of art!
I've always wanted to try this technique after seeing the mixed media art in several places but was too nervous!
Jen illustrates just how easy it is, and the fundamentals behind it. I really thought it was awesome and urge everyone to try to create something truly unique!
We printed our images with the fabulous lab Printique: www.printique.... (mine was a 16x24 canvas print). I printed two copies of the image to allow myself to experiment and try something new.
Throughout the video we'll cover the essential tools you'll need (brushes/paint/medium), painting 101 tricks for different techniques (dry brush, dripping, etc), achieving different textures, and how to just 'let go' and make it happen!
I hope you enjoy it!
👇 Let me know in the comments below if you think this is a technique you'd like to try!
Tool links:
Palette Knife Kit: www.amazon.com...
Paint set 1: www.amazon.com...
Pouring Medium: www.amazon.com...
Paint Tray Palette: www.amazon.com...
Easel stand: www.amazon.com...
White paint: www.amazon.com...
Black paint: www.amazon.com...
Brush Basic Starter Kit: www.amazon.com...
Fan Brush: www.amazon.com...
Larger Brushes: www.amazon.com...
Credits:
Video: Samuel Bouret
Photographer/Painter/Teacher: Jen Hillenga (www.ppa.com/ed...)
👉 Portfolio: lindsayadlerpho...
👉 Instagram: / lindsayadler_photo
👉 Facebook: / lindsayadlerphotography
👉 Twitter: / lindsayadler
👉 Education: learn.lindsayad...

[@iGranny1]

I just saw this and very much appreciate how generous Jen and Lindsay were with their time and experience, sharing a technique I haven’t tried yet. I totally agree with Jen’s assessment that art has no rules. Unfortunately, chemistry and physics do, so I will add a word of caution about thinning acrylic paints with too much water. As a general rule of thumb, by volume, you should not use more water than 1 part water to one part acrylic paint (or acrylic paint+ acrylic medium mixture.) When you do, there is a probability that the paint applied to a substrate will fail to attach itself to the substrate properly, causing the paint to flake away from the material it was applied to because the acrylic molecules now floating in water become too separated to bind properly.

[@GrymmsPlace]

It is amazing to watch a consummate photographic artist 'panic' like everyone else when leaning outside their skills bubble, and to see confidence grow as the excellent teacher breaks down those insecurities. Hugely motivational. Lovely to watch.

[@jeffwiedner]

I was thinking the same thing and loved hearing, "adding more art can only benefit."

[@lindsayadlerphoto]

:)

[@lindsayadlerphoto]

It was nerve wracking for sure but fun! It's good to get outside your comfort zone and push yourself as an artist, even if it's just for fun!

[@stevemccurrach1413]

A marvelous and hugely educational presentation - Thank You. I especially loved Jen's teaching approach, where she encourages experimentation and allays any new artist fears.

[@kieulannguyen1193]

I have been looking for this kind of teaching and I found it here. Thank you so much for this. ❤❤❤

[@mywifetheartist]

Great video. ❤❤❤

[@jeffwiedner]

This was really fun to watch. Thanks for taking the chance on this and sharing this with us. I learned a lot and it energized me to experiment more with this. And Jen is a great teacher.

[@lindsayadlerphoto]

Glad you enjoyed it! :)

[@renardmcghee637]

How did I miss this video!?!?!? AWESOMENESS

[@jomiongoo]

This is why I like abstract artist. Those who are into realism art have been using this technique behind the scenes. Thanks for the video. Educative

[@lindsayadlerphoto]

Thanks!

[@DMOrtmann]

Love love love this information, teaching, and their sparkling personalities!

[@lindsayadlerphoto]

Thanks so much! :)

[@MargaretFeike]

Just finished watching. I loved this video and can't wait to try the techniques. I never dared to think I could pick up a paintbrush since I have no background in art and don't know the first thing about "doing" art. Thank you both so much!

[@catherinethiem2875]

Great video gave me inspiration to experiment more with my photos. Would like to more videos like this.

[@stans6582]

WELL DONE ........guys......your enthusiasm is genuine......thank you

[@mssusangarvey]

Awesome instruction! Thank you both!

[@MOHAMED7astanak]

i used to pull photostats 1000 yrs ago and painted on blown up sketches, fotos, anything - over 30yrs ago! - and yes, it looked amasing! ;)

[@dylantobak]

This was great! I'm going to try this out on a few of my canvases where I slightly missed the focus and see how they look. Great video because I've never done this before as well ☺️

[@dreamingofdahlias8319]

It's a beautiful, blue thunderstorm! Great info - thank you!

[@dianasanner8141]

Absolutely loved this! We're your canvases coated first or just as they came off the printer! I am never disappointed in watching your videos! Thank you!

[@lindsayadlerphoto]

Thanks! Definitely subscribe and hit that bell notification icon for more!

[@ellengoddard5647]

Lindsey and Jen this was extremely very cool I shall have to dabble around with this technique Thank you so much Lindsey for always bringing us creative ideas for our photography projects

[@brendastjules7235]

This is highly interesting and very useful for me thank you so much

[@LuisPerez-ft2rk]

I actually LOVE that NY skyline picture .

[@cheliae8560]

Thank you for that educational demonstration. 🙏👏

[@lindsayadlerphoto]

Thank you for watching!

[@bensonchisenga145]

Wow,,,an details course on this

[@luxebeautyhairstudio7546]

Great tips and examples!

[@OrahLoves]

Awesome demo 👏 Thank you, ladies!!

[@lindsayadlerphoto]

Thanks so much!

[@capena82]

Love this idea!

[@Barbara.Roberts]

Sooo cool omg🤩🤩🤩

[@sobanosilva8585]

we have walked a similar path - right down to painting over canvas prints

[@christinebyrne9923]

Thank you for this inspiring video. Can you use an art print from a retail store or the thrift store to paint over? The canvas feels more artificial and not absorbent.

[@lindsayadlerphoto]

To be honest I'm not entirely sure but I would say give it a shot and see if you get interesting results!

[@ram50228]

Nice video. Do we have to put some protection over the printed canvas before the painting, like acrylic varnish?

[@lindsayadlerphoto]

No this time, no.

[@SunelMolinaTV]

Definitely going to try this out on a photo I’ve been working on of my alter ego

[@KarenWilburnStenseth]

I love this Lindsay! I've been wanting to incorporate some type of mixed media.. looks like I've found it! Thank you!!

[@lindsayadlerphoto]

Glad you enjoyed it! :)

[@Elel-lj4rh]

Can I paint on printed canvas with oil paints? Should we use something before using the oil paint or can we apply the oil paint directly? Thanks for the video!

[@TaoNeko]

Please post videos more often) we really miss you and your wonderful creativity!

[@lindsayadlerphoto]

Totally! Been a bit busy launching a new project and now getting back on track with the videos. Thanks for watching! :)

[@TaoNeko]

@@lindsayadlerphoto 💙💙

[@recklessthor4]

I'm thinking of doing this with one of my Infrared photos!!

[@melissagauthier8440]

This was way cool!!! Loved watching you two!!! Great ideas to use😎

[@urihadari8037]

Very nice and useful video. Thank you

[@lindsayadlerphoto]

Thanks so much!

[@bernicedavis4214]

loved how you explained, but could you please let me know how you transferred hour image onto the canvas to begin with can't wait to see more, thank you both.

[@lindsayadlerphoto]

I had it printed, there are many services that can do this for you.

[@lindaenger9270]

this has been a technique many painters have used for a very long time to take their giclee prints on canvass and make them more into " paintings " . And the old family portraits were b7w prints on canvas ( or paper ) with oils to color :) .Considering all the rubbing off of pigment I have experienced with prints on canvas, painting is also good camouflage. :)

[@lindsayadlerphoto]

hahaha. good strategy for hiding. I like it.

[@iramwaleed6718]

Hi. I really love the mixed media art. It is genius to take a boring canvas to a new level of creativity. My question is can I do the same on store bought printed canvas picture or the color will peel off due to treatment to protect it from natural elements? Thank you

[@lindsayadlerphoto]

To be honest I'm not really sure-- all new to this. I'd give you an answer but honestly I'd just be looking it up on google and guessing lol

[@Neopulse00]

This is amazing.

[@cherieflanagan7652]

I think this is a new challenge that I am going to enjoy. Thank you very much for the video. Will there be more videos continuing?

[@lindsayadlerphoto]

once a week!

[@lindsayadlerphoto]

I don't know if they'll be more on this topic specifically.

[@shutup0011]

If I'm using a printed image from Google, can I use Mod Podge for the original texture in the art?

[@lindsayadlerphoto]

That's a good question! I'm not entirely sure to be honest since this was already printed on the canvas. Give it a try!

[@suebyrne7739]

Very enjoyable. Thank you

[@lindsayadlerphoto]

Glad you enjoyed it Sue! :)

[@stephaniegamba9503]

Super inspiring. Thank you

[@lindsayadlerphoto]

Thank you!

[@harrymonk6]

Do i need to clear prime it before i paint over it with oil paints? Thanks

[@lindsayadlerphoto]

I dont know about oil. We did acrylic!

[@harrymonk6]

@@lindsayadlerphoto do i need to prime the photo print canvas with acrylic? Thanks 👍

[@angelinakostine6380]

Love it!! Thank you!!

[@lindsayadlerphoto]

You're welcome! :D

[@SveiniAsk]

Nice. Would the Acrylics work on a (glossy) photopaper too ???

[@lindsayadlerphoto]

hmmm... I mean I wouldn't do glossy. Maybe a matte?

[@darkhorse7460]

I actually found a large scenic photo on canvas my neighbor was throwing away, took it in and began painting over it and was like is there a tutorial on this somewhere?

[@lindsayadlerphoto]

Nice! Would love to see how it comes out!

[@HemersonParanaguaPRO]

LOVED

[@NoSomosAmigos]

Nice video Lindsay. We need a second episode please.

[@lindsayadlerphoto]

I'm seeing that! A lot of people seem to like this technique! Maybe i'll explore doing another one in the future. :)

[@badaliceandcharlie]

You can get water based oil paints, but they are more expensive than acrylics.

[@infinitytrippyvideos1662]

Looks awesome! How do you usually scan them? So you can get maximum detail from the canvas

[@lindsayadlerphoto]

Id just shoot it with the Canon R5-- 45 megapixels

[@infinitytrippyvideos1662]

Ok thanks!

[@lindsayadlerphoto]

I don't scan them, I just send the original images and they are printed on canvas.

[@infinitytrippyvideos1662]

@@lindsayadlerphoto I see, that makes sense haha

[@CulturedGem]

I want to use oil paint. Is there a problem or special treatment?

[@lindsayadlerphoto]

Sorry, but I don't know. The video is just a "proof of concept" -- I don't do this method often, so what you see used in the video is what I used and I don't have info on other paints or methods.

[@catherinethiem2875]

Are therefore videos like this one where you do a whole canvas? thx

[@lindsayadlerphoto]

Unfortunately not, just this one. Thanks for watching.

[@MARS1111]

Were those laminated canvases from printinque or no lamination? I have some that are laminated and I'm having a hard time gesso over and getting cracks?

[@lindsayadlerphoto]

not laminated xo

[@bomanArtist]

Hi how are going 😊 I have a question plz can we use oil paint on top of the print ? If I print my picture on canvas after can I use oil pain on top of it to make more texture or work on it ? Thanks

[@lindsayadlerphoto]

I'm really not sure! I'm new to this!

[@Not_Always]

I know someone who does this and pretends that he actually painted the thing, when all he does is just recolor a photo he has printed on canvas. I knew that something was up when he literally had a painting he did as a 'commission' and the one part of the painting was pixelated because the image he had to use as the source was a very old low quality photo and it had to be enlarged. I like this as an exercise, but not when people lie and pretend they are a good painter/artist when they aren't.

[@lindsayadlerphoto]

Ok, well that doesn't have anything to do with this, since clearly I painted it. No one is lying here.

[@Not_Always]

@@lindsayadlerphoto I wasn't accusing, just saying I know someone that uses this method and pretends he painted the original when he just uses a photo!

[@rossananovella7729]

Love this Lindsay, thank you ! - the only ting is the background music it distracts from everything and would of been better without it, but thank you so much !

[@MarcelinoNogueiro]

Totally agree. Excellent video and concept but the background music is distracting. Thanks.

[@lindsayadlerphoto]

We'll take note of that for the future, thanks.

[@lindsayadlerphoto]

We'll take note of that for the future. We get complaints if we don't have any, and if we do have it, so we can't please anyone apparently lol.

[@jonathanbyrdmusic]

@@lindsayadlerphoto I agree about the music and I LOVE this channel

[@lindsayadlerphoto]

Thanks so much!

[@carolinejackson5167]

Do I need to gesso the canvas first?

[@lindsayadlerphoto]

I didn't!

[@kathyduffyharte1636]

I have been asked to write a white sentence on a black border of a printed canvas, I tried acrylic but it was gliding off I tried poster paint wich is going to need a few coats and it doesn't seem permanent.. can u tell me the best one to use

[@lindsayadlerphoto]

I'm not really sure to be honest. Im not an expert with that.

[@blueravenforhim]

Oh, Lindsay, this is so beautiful and your guest is amazing. Your painting is so cool. Well done and thank you for the vídeo!!!!

[@lindsayadlerphoto]

Thank you so much!

[@artonwalls55]

How did you get the image onto the canvas

[@lindsayadlerphoto]

A little thing called printing.

[@photozen8398]

She is very nervous from all the paint on her studio floor.

[@beautytreatmentholland5592]

Acrylic paints definately cheaper than oil

[@jbugjones1234]

I don’t see the discount code 😢 went to order a print and it was about $100 for your size

[@lindsayadlerphoto]

Please contact us through our website.

[@aaronbazil]

🎨 🖌 ❤

[@mariandevore1384]

i only wanted to know how we put photo onto canvas but they didn’t say

[@lindsayadlerphoto]

It's this thing called printing.

[@chrisbevis7725]

I thought it was just a mess!

[@lindsayadlerphoto]

Thanks?

[@bernicedavis4214]

love what you do and thank you for yet another great video, and for your response to how to get a print to paint on but myy question is, how best to get that print onto the canvas to paint and to make something very special I have many wonderful photos I know I can print or have printed but not sure of the best way to put them on to canvas prior to painting, can you help. again thank you for a great video.

[@lindsayadlerphoto]

yes! Use a company link Printique to order it for a pretty fair price. :D

[@ovidiu-georgesaghin1378]

vai de viata mea!

[@SilverDragonCloud64]

I wonder if it is possible to paint on images printed on fine art texture papers instead of a canvas? Has anyone tried it?

[@mcs6sm]

That can be achieved if it's printed on paper that can accept wet media, such as watercolor paper

[@lindsayadlerphoto]

That would be cool!

[@PierLotus]

How to print a photo on a canvas?

[@lindsayadlerphoto]

Many different photo labs offer this service, or print on your own specialty printer (like canon pro 4000)