You may remember ABC blocks from your childhood, or perhaps your mother pulls out the photo album each year and shows you an embarrassing picture of yourself stacking them up to create nonsensical words. You have to admit that there was something altogether artistic about the look of stacked and arranged wooden letters, even if they didn’t make complete sense.
Well, now you once again have a chance to play with blocks – letter blocks, that is – and turn them into art! Of course, this time you will be arranging them into words, lyrics, and quotes that are meaningful to you. All you need for this DIY project are wooden letters (anywhere from ½” to 3” in height), canvas, glue, and some kind of paint.
Take these four steps and you’ll have a unique and meaningful 3D art piece in no time!
- Choose letters.
Any crafting store will have a variety of sizes and styles of wooden letters. Choose a size that is appropriate to your chosen canvas size. If you are creating a piece that is smaller than a few square feet, you probably don’t want letters over 1” tall. The smaller they are in proportion to the canvas, the more design options and longer quotes you will be able to accomplish.
- Plan a design.
This art project is a great opportunity to express your inner poet or simply quote your favorite movie line. In addition to the words used, you must also design the layout. Centered or offset to the side? Curving or perhaps slanting downward? You can even make unique shapes with the words! For instance, you could arrange words like “love,” “friendship,” “family,” “home,” etc. into the shape or outline of a heart.
- Paint letters and canvas.
Spray paint, acrylics, or even house paint will work for this project. The canvas and wooden letters need not be the same color. If they are, the art takes on an interesting ghost image effect. If not, the letters can really pop and create a 3D texture in the space.
- Place and glue letters.
Finally, after the letters and canvas dry, arrange the lyrics, quote, or word shape on the canvas itself. Then, you will want to turn the letters onto their “fronts” one by one and glue the backs with spray adhesive or wood glue. Turn them right-side up and press down onto the canvas. Once each individual letter is securely in place, you’re done!
One of the coolest aspects of this project is the way the wooden letters pop from the canvas and give it that 3D feel. The wrong frame can flatten the aesthetic look and turn your effort into a common word print. Don’t take that chance! Instead, bring your creation into Frame Warehouse and get expert advice from the framers who care just as much about your final work of art!
