DIY Network

Three-Layer Artwork Create an art collage in three dimensions. From "B. Original" episode DBOR-126

Put it all together with this three-layer collage!

Michele Beschen believes we're all artists—and part of the fun comes in finding new ways to B. Original with our talents.

This project is great for anyone who wants to stretch their creativity: A three-layer art collage, it lets you work with paint, collage and even engraving. The suspended piece of Plexiglas gives you more surfaces to work with, lets you use thicker objects in your collage and adds depth to the overall piece. Scroll down to see how Michele Beschen made her collage and find ideas for your own.

advertisement

Three-Layer Artwork

Materials:

art canvas
1/8" Plexiglas
4 bolts, 2-1/4" long
12 nuts and 4 washers to fit bolts
drill with brad point bit
paint
clear adhesive
multipurpose rotary tool with engraver bit
collage objects

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E

• For this project, you will be working three different surfaces: the art canvas and both sides of the Plexiglas.

• Select the canvas you want to work with and have a piece of 1/8" Plexiglas cut to the same dimensions.

• Paint the canvas with a textured base coat. You can use as few or as many colors as you like; this will be the background for the entire piece.
  
  
• Using a drill bit with a brad point, drill a hole through both the Plexiglas and the canvas, close to each of your four corners. Make sure you drill through the canvas frame, not just the canvas. The hole needs to be big enough to accommodate a 2-1/4" bolt.

• Peel the backing from the Plexiglas.

• Working on the front-side of the Plexiglas first, use a multi-purpose rotary tool with an engraver cutter bit to trace some lettering (figure A). This treatment gives the illusion of frosted glass.

• Set the Plexiglas aside and start arranging the items you will glue to the canvas. Glue them down once you're happy with the placement; you can use globs of paint to glue down lighter objects if you like (figure B).

• Paint designs around the glued-down objects on the canvas if you like (figure C). Let the glue and paint dry completely before going to the next step.

• Thread each of the four bolts through the front side of the Plexiglas. Then thread a washer and a nut all the way up on each bolt on the back side of the Plexiglas to hold the bolt in place.

• Add one more nut to each bolt, but only thread the nuts up to where they would rest on the canvas (figure D).

• Place the Plexiglas over the canvas, fitting the bolts into the holes. With the Plexiglas in place, decide where you want to glue objects to the back of the Plexiglas. Mark the placement of the items with a grease pencil (figure E).

• Lay the Plexiglas on a clear work surface, face down. Make sure you're not laying it on anything that will scratch the surface.

• Glue the appropriate items to the back of the Plexiglas. Make sure you use transparent adhesive—it will show through the Plexiglas. Let the glue dry completely. Paint around the objects, if desired (figure F).

• Once the Plexiglas is complete and the glue is try, thread the bolts back through the canvas and secure with bolts at the back of the canvas. Tighten the bolts so the canvas is secure between the two sets of bolts (figure G).
  

  Figure F

  Figure G

  
  

• Add some hanging wire, and you have a beautiful piece of modern art!