How to Make a Beautiful Art Montage on a Budget

Sometimes one framed picture hanging on the wall just isn't enough in a large room, or on a wall with imperfections you'd like to cover up. Grouping together several pieces in a geometric shape, or even just symmetrical gives a whole new feeling to a wall. But, artwork meant to go together is expensive. These days most people can't afford to buy new pieces of artwork and the framing to make a lovely attraction on the wall. So, make your own.

The first place to start is the thrift store. You can find any number of frames here for very inexpensive prices. Some of the frames are complete with the glass and some aren't. Most of the frames are usable. What is important is that the frames have a hole or a mounting area on the back so that you can hang it. If a frame you like doesn't have this, you can purchase them at most craft or hardware stores. You don't have to buy matching frames. In fact, having frames made of different materials and varying sizes will just add interest to the montage. Get as many as you feel that you need to cover the space you'd like the grouping to be. You may even have to return a couple of times or visit more than one thrift store to get the number you need.

After you've purchased your frames, stop by the hardware store and buy some black spray paint. If you have any metal frames then you will want enamel paint. You will need to buy two or three cans of paint. You can choose to use a matte finish or shiny. Whatever you decide, it is best to buy the same brand in the same gloss so that the frames will match. I said black paint. You can choose any color you like, but black tends to cover any discrepancies on the frames themselves, and it matches with any decor.

You'll want to paint your frames in a well ventilated area; outside is best. Make sure to lay newspaper down before spraying to insure you don't paint things you don't want painted. I suggest two light coats of paint on each side, allowing the first coat to dry before you add the second.

After your paint has dried you need to measure each frame to see what size the artwork needs to be to fill the frame. Make sure to measure both the width and the length.

After you have measured your frames, cut cardboard that fit the dimensions of the frames you measured so that the cardboard will fit snugly inside the frames. You aren't ready to put the cardboard in the frames yet permanently, this step is only to make sure the cardboard fits. Trim as needed. You can get the cardboard from old boxes. It doesn't matter what the cardboard looks like. It is simply being used to keep your artwork stable inside the frame.

Once you've cut your cardboard, cut poster board the exact dimensions of the cardboard. You can lie the cardboard flat on the poster board and trace it. It is ok if the poster board overlaps the cardboard a little. You can trim this off later. Adhere the poster board to the cardboard using either glue, adhesive spray or double sided tape. I suggest adhesive spray because it dries quickly, does not lump, and holds firmly.

Once your pieces are bonded together and dry it's time to get creative. For artwork, you have several choices. You can print images off of your computer (black and white is best for this), cut the images to fit, and adhere them to the cardboard. You can take tempera or acrylic paints and paint interesting designs directly onto the poster board. A design like Asian lettering, for example, is an excellent choice. Shapes work well too. Another option is to have your children stand in front of a light so that their silhouette is cast onto the cardboard, trace the silhouette and fill it in with paint. You can even use fabric you like to make shapes, or a nice printed fabric. Cut out the print and secure it to the cardboard with adhesive. Look around your room.

Get ideas by looking around your room. What colors would look good in that room? Is there a theme? If you have dark walls, light colors would look best in your frames. White or pale colored walls contrast nicely with darker hues. Black and white looks good with almost any color scheme.

Once you've completed your artwork, put the cardboard in the frames. You may need tiny nails or staples to hold them in place. Small pieces of duct tape will work too as long as it can't be seen. Make sure the bottom of the artwork is secured to the frame. Not having the bottom secured is the quickest way to have the artwork slip from its frame. Trim any edges that don't fit a little at this time.

Now, tape together newspaper to cover the entire area of the wall that the frames would fill and lie it flat on the floor. Place the frames on the newspaper exactly as you would like for them to look on the wall. Trace around the frames carefully so that you have a diagram to tape to the wall. Tape the newspaper on the wall with painter's or masking tape (any other tape can take paint with it when removed). Make sure the newspaper is secured to the wall with the frames in exactly the places you want your frames to be. Find the center top of each square that represents a frame and that is where you place your nail to hold the frame. Take down the newspaper, hang your artwork, step back and enjoy your new decor that you made yourself!