DIY Network

Sandpaper Art Prints Texturize pictures with simple sand. From "B. Original" episode DBOR-502

Make your mark on a classic — with sand!

They say great art jumps off the page — and it will, when you use Michele Beschen's easy techniques for embellishing art prints with sand.

The B. Original host shows how to use sand to give a new dimension to pages from art books or any graphics printed on good-quality paper. Follow her example and experiment with different colors and techniques. You may create a new classic.

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Sandpaper Art Prints

Materials:

art books or picture books
colored sand
low-tack masking tape
spray adhesive
carving tool
spray polyurethane or lacquer

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C

• Select a page from a picture book or an art book. Choose a book printed on good-quality paper; used-book stores are a great source.

• Remove the page and place it on a clean, flat work surface. Use low-tack masking tape to secure it to the surface and to tape off any areas you don't want to embellish with sand.

• Spray the entire page with an even coat of spray adhesive (figure A).

• Sprinkle sand across the desired areas of the piece. You can use regular play sand or any of the colorful sands found at art supply stores. Apply different colors of sand in different areas of the picture (figure B).

• Try to apply only one layer of sand. Each layer of sand obscures the original print a little more.

• Tap the excess sand into a container.

• Use a carving tool or bamboo skewer to add detail or remove some of the sand (figure C). Michele Beschen likes to experiment with different carving or etching techniques to see what effects they give.

• Peel away the tape and remove the piece from the work surface.

• Seal the sand on the print with a coat of spray lacquer or polyurethane.