Use Ikonart to create a piece of Hipster Bunny Reverse Canvas Art that can be displayed for Easter, springtime, and beyond!
After a few "false springs", I am now impatiently waiting for the weather to warm up for good! To help inspire the weather to cooperate, I decided to start some spring crafting. This Hipster Bunny Reverse Canvas Art was so fun to make using and Ikonart kit, and I think it's such an adorable piece of decor. Not only is it the perfect piece for spring, but it is especially fun for Easter and would be great for bunny enthusiasts to keep displayed all year long. I hope you feel inspired to make your own Hipster Bunny Reverse Canvas to display in your own home this spring!
New to making reusable stencils? Here's how to Get Started with Ikonart!
To make your own Hipster Bunny Reverse Canvas Art, you will need these supplies:
- Hipster Bunny Art Design
- Ikonart Custom Stencil Kit
- Ikonart Textile Film
- Scissors
- 9"x12" Canvas
- Craft Knife
- Chalk Paint Powder
- Acrylic Paint - black
- Color Shift Acrylic Paint
- Squeegee
- Detail Brush (optional)
- Quick-Dry Adhesive
*Save 15% on Ikonart supplies with code AFM15
The next step in the process is to expose the stencil film. For this project, I recommend using the purple Ikonart Textile Film instead of the blue Ikonart Stencil Film. The purple film works just like the blue film, but it's stickier and a little more stiff, which makes it perfect for using on fabric and other textured or difficult surfaces.
Set up the exposure stand with UV LED Light by following the directions included in the kit. The Textile Film is light sensitive, so be careful to keep it out of sunlight and bright lights before exposure. Cut a piece of the film the same size as the design print.
Lay the piece of film down on the base of the stand with the textured side facing UP. Place the printed design on top of the stencil film, making sure it's right-side up. This means that if there are words in your design, you should be able to read them.
Lastly, place the clear exposure sheet (found in the stencil film pack) on top and press it down well to seal the design tight against the stencil film. Turn the exposure light on and expose the film for 30-35 seconds.
The next step in the stencil-making process is to washout, or rinse, the stencil to reveal the image on the film. Clip the exposed stencil film to the Ikonart clipboard with the shiny side (carrier sheet) touching the clipboard. Use a kitchen sink sprayer to rinse the stencil film with warm water until the design shows through and becomes completely clear. The washout process usually takes no more than 3 minutes.
Gently blot the excess water from the stencil, and hang or lay the stencil flat to dry for about 45 minutes. When the stencil is completely dry, you shouldn't see any water spots or discoloration.
*I rinsed the stencil out late at night, which made for horrible photos. So the reason this stencil has some black residue is because I took this photo after using paint the stencil for the project.
While the stencils are drying, prep the canvas. Turn the canvas over on your workspace. Use a craft knife to carefully cut the canvas next to the staples on the outer side. This will free the canvas from the wooden frame. Don't worry about removing the staples.
If the canvas fabric is deeply textured, it's important to smooth out the surface texture. If you don't, you are more likely to have bleeds and missed spots when using the stencil. I rubbed the surface of my canvas with sandpaper to smooth it out and to get rid of a lot of the texture. You could also cover the canvas with a thin layer of Mod Podge. If the texture is more subtle, it should be fine to use as-is.
Because acrylic paint has a thinner consistency, you are likely to have more trouble with bleeds on stencil projects. Chalk paint is thicker than regular acrylic paint, so it helps to create crisp lines when stenciling. To thicken your acrylic paints (any brand or type), I recommend mixing in a little bit of chalk paint powder.
Just add a little bit of powder to the paint and stir it together with a craft stick. Add a little more powder at a time, if necessary, until you get the consistency you want.
If you're not sure what type of paint to use on your project, Ikonart has a list of paint and ink selections to help you out!
Peel the carrier sheet away from the stencil and set it aside (don't throw it away). Carefully rub the stencil down and apply pressure to help it stick to the surface and to get rid of any air bubbles trapped underneath.
Apply a line of thickened acrylic paint (or chalk paint) at the top of the stencil (but not too close to the edge). Gently pull the squeegee down over the stencil until the open areas are all evenly covered. Scrape away the excess and put it back onto the paint tray or bottle.
Chalk paint dries quicker than regular acrylic paint. After covering the top half with paint, lift the stencil up to reveal that part and then gently lay the stencil back down (don't add pressure or anything). This simple step will help to prevent the paint from drying in the stencil mesh and lifting the paint up from the canvas.
If you lift it up and see any spots that you may have missed, carefully lay the stencil back down and add a little more paint.
Next, apply the bow stencil to the canvas. You can give the bunny a bowtie by placing it below the chin, or add the bow at the base of the ear for a more feminine look.
Just like the first stencil, remove the backing and press the stencil into place. Apply a thin line of paint along the edge of the stencil and use the squeegee tool to evenly spread the paint over it.
As you can see, I decided to make one of each! This is also a great example to show you proof that the stencils can be used multiple times. If you notice any missed spots or bleeds after the stencils have been pulled away, grab a small detail paint brush and add a light coat of paint over the area(s).
Let the paint dry completely, and wash the stencils well following the instructions below.
Washing Stencils:
For best results, wash stencils while the paint is still wet. To wash your stencil so that it can be used again and again, first get the clipboard wet so your stencil doesn't stick to it. Place the stencil on the clipboard with the textured side up, and lightly rub the stencil under cold running water to remove all the paint.
Do not rub or scrub the adhesive side of the stencil, and NEVER use anything other than water to wash the stencils. To prevent the stencil from breaking down, don't ever leave the stencils to soak.
Remove the stencil from the clipboard and lay it down with the adhesive side up. While the stencil is still wet, place the carrier sheet onto the stencil so that the word “BACK” is readable. Hang or lay the stencil flat to dry completely.
Color Shift acrylic paint is quite transparent, but if you mix it with a little bit of chalk powder, it thickens it up and adds some opaqueness to it! Mix some up in a small mixing cup and paint the front of the canvas frame. If you want to add a second layer for more coverage, just make sure that the first coat has dried completely before adding any more paint.
Use the same color shift paint to either hand-paint the bow or use the other bow stencil to fill the bowtie in with color. When using the stencil, use the same process as before: press the stencil into place, then use the squeegee to pull the paint across the stencil. Slowly peel the stencil up, and lay it back down to add more paint if there are any missed spots. Once removed, wash the stencil immediately.
There is a stencil for the glasses, but I decided to do something a little bit different: I used my xTool laser machine to cut the shape out of wood! If you don't have a laser machine, you could cut some thin balsa wood using a Cricut Maker machine, or you can even cut the shape out by hand using a craft knife. Another creative option is to cut multiple pieces of the glasses using thick, black cardstock. Stack and glue the pieces together to create glasses that will give the same look.
Paint the glasses with the same black acrylic paint as the bunny and allow it to dry completely.
Add a thin line of adhesive to the back of the glasses and then press them into place on top of the bunny's face. Give the adhesive plenty of time to dry.
Center the freshly painted canvas face inside the frame and make marks at each outer corner. Turn the frame over, and place the canvas face-down on top. Line up the marks on the corners to make sure it's in the correct place. Hold the canvas in place on one edge using one hand, and then apply a thin line of quick-dry adhesive along the top edge. Lay the canvas back down and press it into place.
Next, add adhesive to one of the sides. As long as the adhesive at the top is dry, you can gently pull the canvas tight before pressing it down onto the sides so that the canvas lays flat. Add adhesive to the bottom, and pull the canvas tight again before pressing it down.
Go over all of the edges and press the edges down well to make sure they have a strong hold. If any areas start popping up, add a little more adhesive and use clamps to hold them in place if necessary.
You can feel the staples through the canvas. Use those as a guide and use the craft knife to cut away the excess canvas away from the edges. Be careful not to cut yourself!
I'd love to hear what you think about this project, or if you want to know more about Ikonart. If you've made your own stenciled projects, I would love to see your creations! Share them on Instagram, Facebook, or leave a comment/photo on the project pin on Pinterest! #AFMCrafts
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