Art Prints on Canvas - one really REALLY BIG

[spider-t]

I have been showing my photos in local galleries for a year or so. I am always looking for something new to do with my images. I tried a couple of canvas prints in December. I usually only see big close-up flowers on canvas so I wasn't sure my urban stuff would carry.

I got a good response so I decided to do a whole show this month.

People LOVE these canvas prints! I can't keep the stuff on the walls. And they look really impressive as you go big.

I had a patron who wanted me to go bigger than the 24"x36" he saw in the gallery. I worked with the lab and they totally hooked me up.

Check this out: 40"x60"!!




Here's a little storyboard about how I put them together:


TIPS:
- Do not get the gloss finish on canvas. It's too delicate and should be
under glass. AND it comes off with water. Get the matte finish.
- Do not stretch the canvas too tight or you'll break the image.
- Sand the front edges of your stretcher bars if they have a sharp corner.
- Make sure you have a non-abrasive work surface for stretching or you'll scratch the image.

Where I get My Stuff:
- stretcher bars - Dick Blick or Utrecht Art or any art store would work
- canvas stretching pliers - Dick Blick or any art store
- canvas print or giclee - Pixel Outpost I like them, but shop around and find your favorite
- acrylic paint and brushes - Utrecht makes my favorite paint

Make something big!

cheers!
Trish

[cabbey]

Wow. Simply wow.

I love the choice to paint the edges rather than leave them bare canvas.

[spider-t]

Originally Posted by cabbey

Wow. Simply wow.

I love the choice to paint the edges rather than leave them bare canvas.

Thanks cabbey! Painting the edges is part of the fun of putting these together. I try to pick images that already look a little like a painting so they make sense on canvas.

cheers!
Trish

[Shay Stephens]

Big prints rock!

[DanielB]

i know this just follows the measurbators theory but what camera was that taken with?

[Shay Stephens]

Daniel Daniel Daniel

As Yoda would say:

“Camera matters not. Look at this one. Judge it by it's pixel count, do you? Hmm? Hmm. And well you should not. For our ally is exposure and composition, and a powerful ally it is. Creativity creates it, makes it grow. Its energy surrounds us and binds us. Artistic beings are we, not crude pixel peepers. You must feel the images around you; here, between you, me, the tree, the rock, everywhere, yes. Even between the subject and the camera.”

Originally Posted by DanielB

i know this just...

[spider-t]

Originally Posted by DanielB

i know this just follows the measurbators theory but what camera was that taken with?

I took this with my crappy 2-year old Nikon D70 (6 mpix). I had the 24-120VR on it at the time.

Not really crappy. I love this camera. But I'm starting to feel the pressure to upgrade.

It's a crazy thing about these "computer" cameras. I used my first camera for 20 years.

Good thing we don't have to throw the lenses away too!!

cheers,
Trish

[Andy]

Yo Trish!

Permission to copy this tutorial to http://dgrin.smugmug.com tutorials section?

[Angelo]

very nice Trish!

please don't upgrade from the D70... we purists have to stick together!

[flyingdutchie]

First off: Awesome print, Trish! I'd love to see this print in real life.

Originally Posted by spider-t

...Not really crappy. I love this camera. But I'm starting to feel the pressure to upgrade.
...

I had the same feeling .. when my D70's lightmeter broke down and i had to buy a backup camera. I was thinking about buying a D200 and have the D70 as a backup. But no D200 to be found except on eBay..

[Dee]

Altho I hardly ever get into "the city." Some day when I have some energy I'll have to check out one of these shows.

Do you do anything special to make these large prints? I have an 8 megapixel camera, so I guess I could do this too if I wanted to.

[spider-t]

Originally Posted by Andy

Yo Trish!

Permission to copy this tutorial to http://dgrin.smugmug.com tutorials section?

Definitely. Thanks!
Trish

[Andy]

Originally Posted by spider-t

Definitely. Thanks!
Trish

Done. THANK YOU, Trish

http://dgrin.smugmug.com/gallery/1217201/

[spider-t]

Originally Posted by Dee

Altho I hardly ever get into "the city." Some day when I have some energy I'll have to check out one of these shows.

Do you do anything special to make these large prints? I have an 8 megapixel camera, so I guess I could do this too if I wanted to.

That would be great if you came to a show! If you'd like, I can add you to my mailing list. I send out notices before each one.

I don't do anything special to make the large prints. I didn't even shoot raw.

You can definitely make a large canvas print too. I can't promise you can go 40"x60". It's best to work with the printer directly with your particular image. Let them do any upsizing that is required. They know their equipment better. You just send them your jpg or tiff.

I used Pixel Outpost to do my printing. These guys are really awesome.

I wasn't expecting much when I first tried them because their prices are so reasonable compared to others that make canvas prints (a.k.a. giclee prints).

Just don't get the glossy finished canvas. Get the matte.

cheers,
Trish

[DanielB]

Originally Posted by Shay Stephens

Daniel Daniel Daniel

As Yoda would say:

“Camera matters not. Look at this one. Judge it by it's pixel count, do you? Hmm? Hmm. And well you should not. For our ally is exposure and composition, and a powerful ally it is. Creativity creates it, makes it grow. Its energy surrounds us and binds us. Artistic beings are we, not crude pixel peepers. You must feel the images around you; here, between you, me, the tree, the rock, everywhere, yes. Even between the subject and the camera.”

thats why i said

i know this just follows the measurbators theory

[lynnma]

Trish thats fantastic! thanks so much for sharing.. I'm inspired!!! great work congrats!

[Sam]

Trish,

Nice work. Keep us posted about any shows you have comming up, there a few of us in the bay area who could drop by for a look and visit.

Sam

[spider-t]

Originally Posted by Sam

Trish,

Nice work. Keep us posted about any shows you have comming up, there a few of us in the bay area who could drop by for a look and visit.

Sam

Thanks!!

If any of the bay area folks are interested in hearing about my upcoming shows, you may add yourself to my email list here:

http://www.trishtunney.com/gallery/384508

cheers!
Trish

[USAIR]

Trish good work and very cool canvas photos
I love doing these and I also am always trying to do more with my photos
Thanks for great links and great tutorial

Fred

[ScovoPhoto]

Thank You! For introducing the concept of these big art prints! This is so cool, it has given me a whole bunch of new ideas and energy. Thanks!