How To Reuse A Painted Canvas

This video shows you how to reuse a painted canvas.
I decided to repurpose two painted canvases, and turn them into new paintings, first sanding them down, then painting and adding gelli plate collage papers.
Supply List:
👉 Old Painting(s) that no longer thrill you
Rotary Sander
🖌️ Liquitex Gesso
Daler Rowney Acrylic Ink - Cadmium Yellow Hue
🎨 Golden Fluid Acrylic Quinacridone Nickel Azo Gold
Golden Fluid Acrylic Phthalo Blue Green Shade
Golden Fluid Acrylic Quinacridone Magenta
Liquitex Basics White
Liquitex Basics Black
Catalyst Wedge
Golden GAC 100
Golden High Flow Acrylic Black
Marabu Art Spray - Cocoa
Assorted Stencils
Foam Roller
Tim Holz Collage Paper - Ideology - Collage Paper Typeset
Golden Matte Medium
📃 Collage Papers made on your Gelli Plate!
Website: vikkireed.com/
Mixed Media Shop: vikkireed.com/buy-acrylic-pai...
Feeling blocked / unable to paint? Grab your free guide "How To Connect with Your Creative Spirit" here: vikki-reed-studio.aweb.page/c...
Join me on social media:
Facebook - / paintbyheartart
Chakra Mandala Facebook - / healingchakramandalas
Instagram - / chakramandalas

[@heloneidaheloneida]

keep painting in layers until inspiration hits something beautiful. It’s a inspiration 🙌🙌🙌

[@VikkiReed]

Heloneida, yes! That's the technique, thank you!

[@ingridcoke1360]

What a transformation. I absolutely love the outcome. The building of layers of colour and texture to create the beautifully collaged birds was quite intriguing to watch them emerge. Please do more videos of giving old work a new life. Thank you for generously sharing.❤❤❤

[@VikkiReed]

Ingrid, thank you, I have one in the works...called "Plot Twist", stay tuned!

[@janetwebber7814]

These are wonderful. So fun to see your process. I love it!! And so valuable to see how you reuse old canvases. Thanks, Vikki!!

[@VikkiReed]

Thank you, Janet, it is so incredibly freeing to know you (I) can sand down a canvas that is no longer resonating and create something new and beautiful, I'm glad you enjoyed it too!

[@lucybanta7311]

These are amazing! Love the transformation. Was clueless where you were headed and intrigued by the depth of layers to get to the finished painting! ❤️

[@VikkiReed]

Lucy, thank you, I feel clueless at times as well! Thank heaven, over time, I have found a level of trust that it will all work out...and if it doesn't...time for another gesso bath! Thanks for watching!

[@karenkodani1281]

I like watching your tutorials because you get right to the point. New to using the gel plate but was given a 5 x 7. Thank you for expanding my art experiences Vikki.

[@VikkiReed]

Karen, thank you, yes, I am short on patience, so I like to see results as soon as possible. Congratulations on the new door that has opened for you, the gelli plate is a magical tool!

[@ReviewsAndMore9]

Ohhh my gosh!! The background was so fabulous I did not want you to do anything more, and you did, and now what emerged at the end is perfection. So impressed.

[@VikkiReed]

Two Doves, thank you so much. It is always a challenge to cover over what you already like, and often (but not always) it is rewarding! If not, we can always begin again! Being an artist is about having the courage to let go, and experiment...again and again! I'm glad you enjoyed the video, thanks for watching and commenting!

[@deborahneumann9162]

Bluebirds Of Happiness. (: Just DELIGHTFUL!

[@VikkiReed]

Thanks so much, Deborah!

[@karenharnish8090]

I wasn’t seeing where this was going, but what a great end result. I love the birds. You’ve inspired me❤️✨

[@VikkiReed]

Karen, thank you! I am delighted you are feeling inspired, and you can use this technique for birds, or truly...anything!

[@elizabethcarney1010]

The depth of the background is fantastic! Great video!

[@VikkiReed]

Elizabeth thank you for watching and commenting!

[@minnahumble2294]

Awesome. I love the finished pieces. Thank you for sharing your technique. I feel inspired to try it maybe with pelicans flying across the middle, or a hummingbirds.

[@VikkiReed]

Minna, thank you, I love it, you are feeling inspired! Both great ideas, I hope you love working through your project!

[@margaretschmidt7451]

WOW, I love this!! I bought two canvases from a thrift store and want to do something with them and now I know what it will be. Thank you so much for sharing your talents with us.

[@VikkiReed]

Wow, that was the perfect timing for you to find this video, Margaret! Thank you for watching and commenting and I hope you have fun with your project!

[@allthumbs3792]

I’m really impressed with the results here and I admit to being skeptical a few times! Would love to see a video, no matter how boring, on your tearing collage paper for shaping pieces.

[@VikkiReed]

lol, thank you! I will put that on the request list for videos! I think it's sort of an "in the zone" thing where you somehow can reach into a mountain of collage paper and find and then tear or "sculpt" the tiny fragment that fits just perfectly into the piece. Maybe I can time-lapse it. Thanks for watching!

[@ginaburgess9759]

Me too..love this technique and I have more than a few canvases to cover!

[@deborahthompson5041]

I am impressed with YOU. WHAT A VISION. Thanks for sharing.

[@VikkiReed]

Thank you, you’re very kind! I didn’t have a totally clear vision, but I felt thrilled with the development and how the pieces turned out, and so lucky I got it all on video!

[@deborahthompson5041]

I am glad you got it on video too. I learned from you. Thank you.

[@cathyfowler7656]

WOW! Your artwork is so interesting. I love how you just go for it!!!! You inspire me! Thanks for sharing.

[@VikkiReed]

Thank you Cathy, I love that you feel inspired! In the book "Art and Fear" by Ted Orland and David Bayles, there is a quote...”What separates artists from ex-artists is that those who challenge their fears continue; those who don't, quit.”

[@nadjavanderstroom413]

This was lovely and inspirational to watch. Because I've done more collage in recent months, I came across the same problem of trying to recall how I wanted to arrange the torn or cut pieces after having found their proper placement. I had a 'duh' moment when it hit me that I could just take a photo and refer to it! Also: I, too, use denim shirts (I pick them up at Goodwill) as my painting smocks 🙂 I love your videos--the palette and depth of your gel prints is just gorgeous!

[@VikkiReed]

Ah yes, a photo is very helpful, if one remembers to take it! Thank you for your wonderful comments, I’m thrilled to be part of inspiring further creativity!

[@lisaknie1911]

Really enjoyed the video, Vicky. I learn so much from you! Thanks for sharing.

[@VikkiReed]

Lisa, YAY! I'm so glad, thank you for letting me know...I'm working on a recorded video course on how to paint birds this way...stay tuned!

[@liinu01]

gorgeous! very inspiring to see your intuitiveness and freeness with it all... love from London UK... xxx

[@VikkiReed]

Thank you so much, Liinu Lii, I'm so happy you feel inspired!

[@stevenhamilton2758]

Very interesting how the layers morphed and the end result was so different yet you can see random glimpses of your layers. Like it a lot.

[@VikkiReed]

Steven, thank you, like life I think!

[@laurienye7514]

These were amazinf and the colors were outstanding. It is gorgeo. Thanks and God Bless.

[@VikkiReed]

Thanks so much, Laurie, God Bless you too!

[@cathydale104]

Fabulous to watch. Thank you for sharing. I love the process as well as the end result. ☺

[@VikkiReed]

Cathy, thanks so much for your comment, I use this process quite often, sanding down old pieces and bringing them to new life, it is quite freeing and satisfying!

[@christineboone2850]

Love these! I always reuse old paintings of mine, and it was great to see your process. The birds turned out great!

[@VikkiReed]

Christine, thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed it.

[@bevmorton8725]

So great to watch you transform the previous paintings Vikki. I love watching the way you work so intuitively and seemingly without fear. It's very motivating and I love the results too! Thank you for sharing

[@VikkiReed]

Bev, thanks so much for watching, you can do it too! Keep creating!

[@jeaninebradfield4471]

LOVE what you achieved

[@VikkiReed]

Thanks so much Jeanine!

[@tanyahunter7320]

These have turned it beautifully and have shown me why you kept going passed what I thought was done💕💙💕

[@VikkiReed]

Tanya, yes! Thank you...it is hard to know when it's done, for me now, it's more of a feeling, thanks for watching and commenting!

[@pattyfolsom5144]

I tried your process on an art board to reuse a failed attempt. It worked beautifully!! I actually created some botanical frisket stencils to lay over the abstract before covering over with acrylic paint. Thank you!

[@VikkiReed]

Patty, I'm so glad, thank you for letting me know! I believe this eliminates some of the fear in the creative process, which is a great help to me!

[@heathermader2918]

Oh!!! My heart.... when you covered all the beautiful marks and colors you created ..... !!! Lol. I still love the end result, but was gasping when you did that. lol

[@VikkiReed]

Heather, I KNOW! That has been a real challenge to learn to do, sacrificing what is there, trusting something even more beautiful will result. Thank you for your comment!

[@elizabethsanmiguel9173]

I love how you reused your canvas. Your new artwork is beautiful.

[@VikkiReed]

Elizabeth, thank you for watching and commenting!

[@kathleenrothman]

CooL !! Now i know what to do w/ an old painting of mine 💞🙏💯

[@VikkiReed]

YAY! Better refreshed and ready for show and sale than sitting in the storage room (like mine were)...

[@karenatkinson4053]

What a great idea. I have a canvas I would like to try this on. Thank you.

[@VikkiReed]

There is such freedom in sanding down a canvas that is no longer working and beginning again...much success to you!

[@aprilharvey2225]

Wonderful transformation😊

[@VikkiReed]

Thank you April, I was happy and then I sold them, which made me even happier!

[@paintingtracey]

Wow they turned out great!

[@VikkiReed]

Thank you for watching and commenting!

[@helgamertz8450]

Love,love,this !😱❤️❤️❤️Thank you 🥰

[@VikkiReed]

Helga, thank you so much!

[@tanyahunter7320]

Thanks for sharing your process💕💙🤗

[@VikkiReed]

Tanya, thank you, I hope you feel inspired!

[@cathyolson3476]

Thank u, so much fun to watch!

[@VikkiReed]

Cathy, thank you and thanks for watching!

[@jaycham17]

Very interesting to watch. Great ideas.

[@VikkiReed]

Thank you Jay! It's so great to be able to turn old work into new creations!

[@sueridder4691]

Beautiful!!

[@VikkiReed]

Thanks very much, Sue!

[@lucygrierson1974]

Absolutely gorgeous, so inspiring

[@VikkiReed]

Thank you Lucy, I'm so glad you're inspired! Happy painting!

[@FiddleKate]

Oh my goodness... I loved this!!! Thank you so much for sharing your technique!!!

[@VikkiReed]

Katie, I'm so glad, thanks for watching!

[@brendadoyle643]

Love the process! Thank you for showing the steps you took.!

[@VikkiReed]

Thank you Brenda!

[@Mariana-ym6zf]

LOVE IT!!

[@VikkiReed]

Mariana, thank you!

[@ssm5774]

I really like the look of them after sanding and the transformative story it tells. I think I’ll try that, paint several paintings over time onto the same canvas and then sand them down after 10 or 20 years-sort of a broken glimpse into where I was at the time. Thank you!

[@VikkiReed]

Seth, yes, thank you! I love the versatility of that. When I realize I've had a piece for quite awhile, and I don't love it anymore, it's so great to sand it down, gesso over it and see what wants to be expressed now! Thanks for watching and commenting

[@dlcmac]

Beautiful creation Vikki! Love this and seeing your creation of birds! ❤️

[@VikkiReed]

Thank you and thanks for watching!

[@yangjuleeart]

Thank you so much for sharing your technique! Love it 😍

[@VikkiReed]

You're so welcome, thanks for watching!

[@penkakostadinova9136]

Thank you for sharing, Vikki and I'm very happy to discover your channel. Was pleasure for me watching you in the whole video!❤🍀

[@VikkiReed]

Pepi, thank you so much, more to come and happy creating!

[@s.guidry2222]

Very nice!

[@VikkiReed]

Thanks very much for watching and commenting!

[@christinelay2652]

So much fun to watch you are so good at that

[@VikkiReed]

Christy, thank you and thanks for watching!

[@milliemason4836]

WOW!!!😍😍😍

[@mariaconti9704]

This was wonderful! Thank You...

[@VikkiReed]

Maria, thanks for watching!

[@brendashelonko2149]

Just watched this again!

[@VikkiReed]

Oh bless you Brenda! That's awesome, now I hope you feel inspired and can get to creating yourself!

[@shondra6]

What a great idea. I love it TFS.. 💜🙏💜🙏👍🏻

[@VikkiReed]

Sandra-Louise, my pleasure! Thanks for watching!

[@cjlloyd53]

"Flying by the seat of my pants." That is so me. Beautiful result.

[@VikkiReed]

Yes! Sometimes we get lucky and the magic happens! Thanks for watching!

[@evathuning78]

Lovely. ❤ Thank you! 😊

[@VikkiReed]

Eva, thank you for watching and commenting!

[@christinelay2652]

They turned out so beautiful your talent amazes me never ceases to amaze me

[@VikkiReed]

Christy, thank you so much for watching and for your support!

[@arleenaartvark1141]

Beautiful results! Please show us more of this style. You work so fast- it’s amazing!! ❤

[@VikkiReed]

Arleen, thank you! I am working on more videos that show the painting part, it can be fast, or it can take ages, as I endlessly edit, cover over, sand down again and rework, but that's the life of an artist and I'm lucky to be living it! Watch for a video on a piece called "Plot Twist" that should be coming soon. Thank you for your comment!

[@ReviewsAndMore9]

She also speeds up the video at times so it appears she is painting faster than she is.

[@sabrinenejjar2046]

wonderful

[@VikkiReed]

Thank you, Sabrine!

[@bonniedoody3831]

Just subscribed! I love what you did with these older paintings. You’ve inspired me to rework some of my older paintings and maybe use a tiny fraction of my gel press collage papers. I have some Elizabeth St. Hillaire stencils and masks I’m eager to use. I know where they will get some good use! Thank you!

[@VikkiReed]

Wonderful, Bonnie! Yes, it is so satisfying to bring forth something new from what no longer resonates...have fun creating and thanks for watching!

[@avanellehansen4525]

Excellent. When I have pre torn and arranged pieces, I only remove one piece at a time to adhere them.

[@VikkiReed]

That is a great tip, thank you Avanelle!

[@jackieroberts6440]

Love how loose you work. Love the finished birds.

[@VikkiReed]

Thank you Jackie! It was a process to "loosen up", thanks for watching and commenting!

[@triciabennetts6578]

These are beautiful - thankyou for sharing your process and I love going with you on your voyage of discovery!😄 I am always a little surprised at just how much work goes into the background layers, which are then pretty much covered up 🤔 Think I’d have to leave more of it showing through - on principle 😉

[@VikkiReed]

Tricia, thank you, I hear you! It is challenging to surrender so much of the beauty that's underneath, and as the creator of your own work you choose!

[@soniamariaramosjanuzzi9311]

Beautifull... você poderia gravar em Português, como fez este Vídeo, nas suas Lindas Gelli Plate 👏👏💖💖🥰🥰

[@VikkiReed]

Sonia, I'm so sorry, I don't have the ability to record in Portuguese!

[@lauradarcy5684]

Would love to know where your stencil of arches came from.... your work is amazing and inspiring. So glad I stumbled onto your channel (a happy accident as they say!)

[@VikkiReed]

Laura, thank you, you're in luck! I got the stencil from Joggles.com, here is the information, Studio Light Art By Marlene So-Fish-Ticated Collection - Mask - Underwater [ABM-SFT-MASK08]...tell them I sent you!

[@kimberlyespinoza7970]

Beautiful!!!! New subby here🌞

[@VikkiReed]

Kimberly, thanks so much for watching, commenting and subscribing!

[@astridglodek3099]

I just came across your channel and loved the collage bird paintings. I’m so interested in birds but am not familiar with exactly how to do collage. I do absolutely love your collage papers and I agree you should sell them. Was your canvas for the birds a cloth canvas or a wooden cradle? I’ll come back to your channel and thank you for sharing.

[@VikkiReed]

Astrid, thank you for your comments and questions! The pieces in this video were canvas, although I often work on panel as well, it tolerates the sanding better! I do have two selections of papers available in digital download (meaning you have to print them off) and the link is here, vikkireed.com/buy-acrylic-paintings/ols/products/printable-collage-papers-set-one and then there is a video on creating a collage base for projects, that link is here, kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJytp2Bqr9eYrq8

[@astridglodek3099]

Thanks so much for your quick reply Vikki! I do have an 8x10 gel plate but I haven’t used it yet because I didn’t quite know how.so I will view your video on it! 👍🏼🎉🎉😃

[@kathleenrothman]

You could easily sell collage on Etsy. I create my own. Haven't seen a whole lot i like. I do ... Love yours😊. I make. A master , photp copy & create with them 🌈☮️🥰

[@VikkiReed]

Kathleen! Thank you! Great idea, I will pursue it.

[@christinelay2652]

Do you ever need to clean the stencils and if so what do you clean them with

[@VikkiReed]

Christy, great question, YES! The stencils get gummed up with acrylic paint unless you clean them regularly (which I don't). So occasionally, I need to soak them in a shallow pan of70% alcohol (which dissolves acrylic paint) and then scrub them and the paint moves right off.

[@robynnbryar1977]

Will dried heavy body acrylic paint him up sandpaper? Ir what if you put several layers of Gesso over Fluid Acrylic paint' I thought it would level out but it did not. Is it too late to sand it smooth?

[@VikkiReed]

Hi Robin, thank you for your questions! I don't understand the first question...and no, it is not too late to sand it smooth, although smooth is never my goal, I like things roughed up and scarred...just like life brings us and then we can make beauty from that! If you want it smooth, you will need a smoother grit sandpaper. I hope that helps!

[@robynnbryar1977]

@@VikkiReed sorry about the crazy spelling in my original question. I wanted to know will sandpaper get gummed up sanding off original layers of heavy body acrylic paints? Do you have to use several pieces of sand paper? What grits of paper do you start with? And end with?

[@VikkiReed]

@@robynnbryar1977 Thank you for clarifying! You shouldn't have any issue if your paints have dried. I use a circular sander with 60 grit which is very rough, and it just destroys the top layers...in fact, care must be taken not to sand through the canvas, if that is what you are using! I like birch wood panels if I'm going to be doing a lot of sanding because they are sturdier...You may want to go mid range then with, say, a medium to fine (180-240) and finish with an extra fine (400)...here's a link to Extra Fine Sanding Blocks on Amazon, this is what you can use to finish sanding amzn.to/3tHDm78

[@robynnbryar1977]

@@VikkiReed thank you, this is very helpful information.

[@VikkiReed]

@@robynnbryar1977 I'm so glad! Keep creating and experimenting and I wish you much success!

[@OneHope4Heaven]

These are beautiful, (but if I may suggest changing your camera angle to an overhead, I'd be a LOT easier to see what you're doing)

[@VikkiReed]

I would LOVE to figure that out...I have tried many different options that failed. I appreciate your comment and will continue to explore ideas to achieve the overhead (and right side up) view, thank you!

[@brendashelonko2149]

I always hate to see the under painting go…. But it’s in a good cause.

[@VikkiReed]

Brenda, I hear you! It's an exercise in letting go...

[@heidirachaelpieterse5109]

Do you absolutely need to sand it?

[@VikkiReed]

Thanks for your question, no, the sanding is not a requirement, I just like what happens with the texture and it is a way to really set myself free from the "old" painting