Make-it-Yourself Teen Decorating Project: Graffiti Canvas Frame

Total time: About an hour, depending on the details.
Hands-on time: Plus drying time for the varnish topcoat.
Skill: ideal for teens and children.
Project Cost: Less than$10.00.

Materials & tools:
-Artist canvas, ''Gallery'' Stretched Canvas style; (7" x 7") (17.8 x 17.8 centimeters) 3D box style
-Oil pastels in small diameter in assorted colors, by Grumbacher (there are so many brands available, to see what colors you like and which ones you are comfortable using try out a few samples at your local craft store)
-Pencil
-Drawing paper and graphite paper
-Graffiti design of choice
-Masking tape
-Permapaque, Artist Markers by Sakura (they have two tips; wide and fine point all in one. They are available in several colors)
-Grey-and-white eraser (the gray to remove pencil marks and cleaning smudging)
-A cloth
-Workable Fixative by Krylon(final fixative spray for pastels, with a clear finish)

*Items for this project are available at arts and crafts stores.

Miy Teen Decor Project: "Graffiti Canvas Frame"

"Graffiti on canvas for teens, lets them express themselves creatively"

The word Graffiti means, "words or drawings, scratched or scribbled on a wall". It comes from a Greek word "graphein" (to write) and it is the plural of the Italian word "graffito". Today graffiti is attracting young people from a variety of cultural backgrounds and all socioeconomic levels. The tools of the trade are wide tipped markers and spray paints. Graffiti artists often use 'tags', which are fancy ways of writing your name or nickname, usually decorated with a variety of stylish markings. Skilfully written words or names are now being considered works of art, and can be seen on everything from clothing to sports equipment.

I noticed my teenage son, drawing 'graffiti-like' text onto everything from paper scraps to binder-covers. I thought his interest in graffiti would make a wonderful artwork piece to include in a recent decor exhibit that I took part in.

His contribution to the mini art gallery was the word "Paris" in graffiti-like text done in pastels on a box style canvas. Art is a fabulous way to interact with your teens and encourage their self-expression and creativeness. Using a genre of art that is familiar to them, like graffiti, is even better! This project doesn't have to be done on walls or come from a paint can, what matters is that it is done in the same spirit as the graffiti style - free flowing self expression, captured on canvas.

Pre-primed canvases make ideal surfaces to create smaller graffiti-like art. On paper, draw or write words of your choice (in this case it was the word "Paris") to use as your design template. With a pencil, draw the text directly onto the canvas, or transfer it onto the canvas using graphite paper. Cut the design around the edges. Cut a piece of graphite paper in the same size. Put the graphite paper under the design cut-out, attaching both to the surface of the canvas with masking tape. Use a pencil or pen to trace the design onto the canvas.

Color in the word or text using 3 to 4 different colors of fine point oil pastels; shading in areas around the edges of the letters.

Use scrap pieces of paper to practice shading first if preferred. Glide the pastels smoothly onto the canvas surface and lift the tips, as soon as, the lines are finished. You can use a cloth or your fingers to blend the colors to shade in areas of the letters. Use a wide marker for the outlines. Add a color border around the letters.

The background area of the canvas around the word 'Paris' was left white. Use an eraser to remove any pencil, graphite lines or pastel smudges.

To protect the pastel artwork against dusting and smudging, apply a coat of clear spray fixative in a side-to-side motion for a uniform coverage. It fixes the pastels without leaving a glossy finish. Several coats can be applied. Let it dry between each coat. It dries fast.

Miy Variations: Using different sizes of canvases, let your teen create his or her own mini art gallery to decorate their bedrooms. Larger canvases placed side by side can really make a colorful visual impact. Smaller canvasses are perfect for personalized tags or for individual letters to spell a word.

For younger children; a montage grouping can be created, to add color to a bare wall. Paint several canvases, each one in a different solid acrylic color: yellow, blue, green, etc. Then have your children doodle on them, using pastels, in assorted bright colors. Thick wax-crayons or simply washable markers can be used directly onto white canvases in assorted sizes. This is a great idea for a birthday party activity that will keep young budding artists busy for at least five minutes!

Miy Safety Tips: If your teen wants to do larger frames (or other items from their bedroom) using spray paints, it is vital that they work in a well ventilated area and wear a protective mask. Spray paint fumes are very toxic.