• Affiliate Disclosure
  • BLOG
    • Blog
  • Collaborate
    • Collaborations & Advertising
  • Decor & DIY’s
  • Disclosure
  • ESSENTIAL OILS
  • INSTAGRAM LINKS
  • Meet Tiffany
    • About
  • MY PINTEREST
  • Oils
  • Shop
  • SHOP MY AMAZON
  • SHOP MY HOME
  • THANK YOU FOR JOINING ME
  • Contact

My DIY Happy Home

  • Home
  • BLOG
    • HOME DECOR
    • DIY’s
    • RECIPES
    • ESSENTIAL OILS
      • Order
      • Essential Oils
        • Diffusers
        • Supplies: Bottles, Rollers and more!
        • Cleaning with THIEVES
        • Diffuser Blends
        • DIY Beauty
    • FAMILY
  • Shop
    • SHOP MY HOME
    • SHOP MY AMAZON
    • Shopping Finds
  • About
    • Contact
    • Disclosure
  • Collaborate
    • Collaborations & Advertising

DIY Textured Watercolor Artwork

September 4, 2020 in Decor, DIY's

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on these links and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission- at no extra cost to you.

Artwork for your can be very pricey. I had been hunting for the perfect piece to hang over my sofa … but kept falling in love with pieces that were hundreds of dollars. AKA … NOT in my budget. 

So rather than be defeated… I decided to create my own. I had seen many use joint compound as a material to create texture in wall art, pottery pieces, lamps and more! So I decided to create one of my own and put a spin on it with a watercolor type ombré effect.


I knew I wanted a large piece. So I found a 30” x 40” artists canvas at Hobby Lobby for $39.98 and used my 40% off coupon.  You could also repurpose a sign or picture frame that you are no longer using, I even ended using some 1 x 12 pieces of wood to create side pieces for a triptych look. 


Next up I gathered all my supplies.

  • canvas or other piece to work on
  • joint compound 
  • plastic putty knife 
  • paint in colors of your choice 
  • Disposable bowls (for mixing paint)
  • 3” foam brushes
  • drop cloth, trash bag or plastic to protect your work surface
  • optional: 1×2 common board to frame out your piece
  • optional: stain for the wood frame (this is my favorite stain)
  • optional: brad nailer to secure the frame to the artwork
Supplies and prepped work area.

For the main center piece, I used a 30”x 40” canvas. For the two side pieces, I used leftover 1×12 common boards that I cut to 30” length (to match the height of the canvas.

Step 1: ADD TEXTURE!

To create the texture, you will add the joint compound to the piece you are working on. (If using a sign with an existing frame, I recommend taping off the existing frame with painters tape first to protect It. ) Take the plastic putty knife and put a coat of the joint compound on… you want a thick enough later that you can manipulate it to create texture… but not too thick.

Once the layer of joint compound is on, take the putty knife and create peaks, ridges, bumps … anything you want. There is no right or wrong … it’s all in what you like! 

Blank canvas.
After adding texture.


Step 2: DRY TIME.

Once you have the joint compound on and texture created you will need to let it dry for at least 24 hours… or per the instructions on your joint compound.


Step 3: PAINT!

Once it’s dry, it’s time to paint!
The first coat I applied was white. I used some leftover wall paint in the color Super White by Benjamin Moore in a flat finish. I applied the white over the entire surface of the canvas making sure to get it the ridges and texture. Be sure to let it dry completely.

Now, you can absolutely stop and have a monotone, textured wall art piece. But I wanted mine to have some color. I decided I wanted to do a graduated watercolor effect… with an almost ombré look, using paint I already had in my garage.

Step 4: ADD COLOR
The next color I used is a paint sample from Valspar in the color MoonShot. I added a small amount in the bottom of a disposable bowl and added some water to thin it out in a 3 parts water to 1 part paint ratio. I stirred it to mix well, then dipped my foam brush in lightly (you don’t want to saturate the brush- it will run and drop everywhere). I started about 1/2 of the way down and painted the bottom with a light coat of the watered down Moon Shot Color. I did NOT let it dry. I went on to add the next color.

Adding the first color to a disposable bowl.
Watered down paint.
Adding the first color to the lower half of the art.


Next,  I used the leftover watered down MoonShot and added a small amount of Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black in flat. Stirred it around and added a band of color covering the lower 2/3 of the MoonShot color. I then added a little more black to the same bowl of watered down paint mixture to darken it a little bit more and went across the more 2/3 of the original “Moonshot” section.

After the lighter gray is added .
After the darker gray is added to the bottom and the paint has dried.

As it is drying, you can see the color settling in the cracks and crevices- creating depth and highlighting the texture. 

STEP 5: Frame it out!

I let this completely dry. Then I framed it out using 1×2 common boards that I stained in my favorite stain from Old Barn Living in the color Farmhouse.

1×2 Board cut to length and prestained.
Adding the frame. Securing using my brad nailer.


Now you have your own unique piece of artwork for hundreds less than the high end store prices!

You can see my video tutorial here: 

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CEux0YsJNm3/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

I hope you’ll come back soon for my DIY’s, home decor, recipes and all the in between!!!

2

Tags : diy projects, diy textured wall art, diy textured watercolor wall art, diy wall art, diy wall decor, fall decor, home decor on a budget, home design, home inspiration, home interior, living room decor, modern art, modern decor, my diy happy home, textured wall art

Previous Update your doorknobs with PAINT!
Next The fireplace finally got its update!!!

Related Posts

Our Deck Build: Demo to Rebuild

Summertime Vibes

Board & Batten Walls: Adding Character to your Hom...

Reader Interactions

Primary Sidebar

Join the Community

Popular Posts

DIY Antique Gold Ornament...

December 22, 2022

It’s All in the Details...

March 5, 2022

Welcome!

January 25, 2021

The best Farmhouse sink E...

October 27, 2019

Dining Room Remodel: Addi...

February 2, 2020

Update Your Outdated Coun...

April 18, 2020

From Ugly to WOW: How to...

May 19, 2020

DIY CABINET PAINTING: You...

February 27, 2020

Subscribe, so you don’t miss anything!

Disclaimer

All information provided for projects is from my own personal experience. I am not a certified plumber, electrician, contractor, etc. Before attempting to do any project, please be sure to follow all building codes in your area. If you feel uncomfortable with any project, please seek out professional assistance in the specific field of expertise.

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on these links and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission- at no extra cost to you.

Find me on IG @mydiyhappyhome
I’m here for all the slow, summer days and night I’m here for all the slow, summer days and nights.

Comment: DECK for the sources for this space. 

My outdoor furniture set is back in stock including the square coffee table, the ottomans are currently showing out of stock- but I am watching for a restock. 🤞🏼

#patiofurniture #outdoorlivingspace #outdoorliving #outdoorfurniture #deckviews
Want to add a water feature to your outdoor space, Want to add a water feature to your outdoor space, but don’t have any electricity nearby? NO problem! 

Type: SOLAR for supplies I used. 

I found a fountain that is so easy to use and is powered by the sunlight! It comes with 6 nozzles for a variety of spray patterns and can be used in bird baths, ponds, for a fountain, pool and more! 

https://liketk.it/5eG9G
#outdoorwaterfeature #solarfountain #diyfountain #garden #gardeninspo
Remembering and Honoring those who gave everything Remembering and Honoring those who gave everything for our country and our freedom. 🇺🇸

#memorialday🇺🇸 #memorialdayweekend
Type: PIE and I’ll send the recipe to your inbox Type: PIE and I’ll send the recipe to your inbox.

This pie is a summer family favorite. It reminds me of the pies my dad would get from Shoney’s when I was a little girl. ❤️ It’s easy to make and sure to be a hit at your next cookout or get together.

#strawberrypie #SummerDessert #EasyEntertaining #BBQSeason #FruitDessert #easyrecipe #easydessert #summerdessert #SummerVibes #BackyardParty #HolidayHosting  #SweetTreats
Type “KITCHEN” for sources. You CAN update yo Type “KITCHEN” for sources.

You CAN update your home on a budget and make it beautiful. When we moved in the kitchen needed lots of updates to make it a space that was functional for my family and one we loved to be in. Slowly -one project at a time and MANY years later- it is a space I love to be in, cook in and make memories in. ❤️

I kept the same footprint..same flooring- even the same cabinets (I built new upper doors). Some of the updates include: added an island, kept the same countertops - they are painted with an epoxy countertop paint, new lighting, painted the cabinets and walls, tile backsplash, new hardware, new sink and faucet and new appliances. 

Walls: BM Chantilly Lace 
Cabinets: SW Pure White
Island: BM Pasmina
Back door: BM Taiga

#kitchen #kitchenupdate #kitchentransformation #whitekitchencabinets #kitchenremodel
Comment: BITES and I’ll send the recipe to your Comment: BITES and I’ll send the recipe to your inbox. 🍓

Resharing these Strawberry Cheesecake Bites from a few years ago. Perfect for all your summer get togethers!  I’ve been making these for years, they only need 6 ingredients, are so easy to make and kiddo approved! 🍓🍓🍓

Appetizer idea 
Summer food idea
Strawberries 
Strawberry cheesecake 
Summer BBQ 
Summer foods
Recap of the past week… scroll ➡️ to see the Recap of the past week… scroll ➡️ to see them all.
Comment: RECAP and I’ll send the links to your inbox. 

*you can also find them all on my @shop.ltk page @mydiyhappyhome , click the blue link in my profile and “shop my LTK”. 

Last week
Week in review 
Weekly favorites
Fashion finds 
Home decor
Outdoor Living
Create a Coastal inspires bedroom and find all you Create a Coastal inspires bedroom and find all you need at The @HomeDepot.  #TheHomeDepotpartner

Comment: BEDDING and I’ll send the links to your inbox. 
 
Layered bedding, a mattress protector and mirrors are a great way to update your bedroom. You can get these and many more during The Home Depot Memorial Day Event where you can shop all the best deals: 

5/8-6/4: Shop Up to 35% Off Select Furniture, Rugs, & Mattresses

5/22-5/28: Take An Extra 10% Off Select Furniture, Decor & Kitchenware with Promo Code MEMORIAL10

Find these and more home decor on my @shop.ltk page @Mydiyhappyhome. https://liketk.it/5dtjv

#TheHomeDepot #homedecor #memorialdaydeals #homefinds #liketkit #ltkhome #ltkstyletip
This is the year of a few backyard improvements… This is the year of a few backyard improvements… including a garden with all my families favorite fruits and veggies.

…and this is our summer of slowing down … enjoying lots of fresh air, sunshine, and little moments. My babies are growing up so fast, I find myself wanting to slow down more and more trying to hold on to all the moments of childhood a little longer. ❤️

Wondering where something in my garden is from? Comment: GARDEN and I’ll send the links to everything I used. 

Stay tuned to see what’s next. 😊

#slowdown #garden #diygarden #diygardening #familygarden #outdoorlife #outdoorliving
Comment: LIGHTS and I’ll send the link to your i Comment: LIGHTS and I’ll send the link to your inbox.

These solar spotlights come as a set of 2, are easy to assemble and install and highlight your landscaping for instant curb appeal. Best part no wiring or electricity needed!!! ☀️

They are on sale today!!! 

#curbappeal #solarlights #landscapelighting #homeexterior #solarspotlight #exteriorlighting
Copyright © 2025 My DIY Happy Home · Theme by SheShoppes