If I was starting all over as a beginner to DIY textured art – how would I start? Especially if I wanted to limit the budget and only do only a few canvases. I was pretty committed from the beginning to going head long into this art form so I did spend too much. I wanted to look back for myself and see how simply I could have started. Here are my recommendations for a beginner or a one time project.
(All prices are found in June 2025)
FIRST – LEARN (FREE)
I would find a few of the really great guys and gals on Instagram who show tutorials. It helped me learn a lot and watch techniques. I would get an idea of the type of DIY textured art I would like to make. The information below is suited for line art, arches, and other abstract, thin designs. If you watch people work and LOVE the flower pedals – you will need to adjust the information. Contact me if you need help finding the right supplies.
Unfortunately, I haven’t found very many really great technique based textured art artists on YouTube. Try out Textuuri to see if these videos by Henri Hagelberg are helpful to you.
SMALL QUANTITIES ($19)
Joint Compound (Drywall Mud) – I have the size (1.75 Q) I would get pictured below. On my first order – I got 3.5 Q of drywall mud. I have enough to do a LOT of canvases. That is good for me, but it would feel wasteful if I had only wanted to make a couple DIY textured art pieces for my home. The one pictured below is $14.
White Acrylic Paint – Apple Barrel from Wal-Mart has worked just fine for me. $5
Mixing the mud and paint at a ratio of 3 parts mud to 1/2 (half) part paint – will give you a structured, yet smooth paste consistency. Changing the ratio to 3 parts mud to 1 part paint very loose, easy to smooth paste. It will also make your pieces hide the flaws just a little easier in the beginning.
Put the new paste you mixed into a Tupperware container so that it doesn’t dry out.
AS FEW TOOLS AS POSSIBLE ($17)
Scraper – my favorite has been a four sided adhesive spreader search “QLT by MARSHALLTOWN Square Notched Spreader” on Amazon to find it. Or click the picture below. $7
Spreader/Mixer – A simple spatula, the one pictured is $10. The one in your kitchen drawer would work just fine as well.
Smoother / Palette Knife– these are TOTALLY OPTIONAL
I was so surprised to see the one pictured as a set. It is only $10 which is just fantastic. If you already the middle plastic smoother for another type of art or cooking – just use that.
CANVAS ($4)
3 primed canvases of reasonable size (18″ at the longest side). A quick search on Wal-Mart found me a set of 3 canvases 8″x10″ for $4. These would be ideal for anyone looking to practice.
If you have a canvas already, like one you got from Hobby Lobby ten years ago… just paint over it in white acrylic paint and use that. Other options would be to find a going out of business sale, Facebook Market place, or a local thrift store. If you can find something to reuse that would be IDEAL.
THICKNESS (FREE)
The thinner the better, that is why I LOVE the tool I listed as the scraper – it gives such thin lines. I haven’t had nearly as many problems with cracks when I started using this.
An additional note: when you scrap, drag all the way to the canvas. This allows as much paste as possible to come off the canvas while leaving the design you want.
DRYING (FREE)
Let it dry slow, the slower the better.
No fan, no sun, no A/C vent overhead… This is a directive from EVERY SINGLE artist I have found talks about in regards to reducing cracks.
CRACKS (FREE)
Get a paint brush and a little of the mixed paste then just paint over the crack. Add a touch of water if needed. It will be good as new!
PAINTING ($10)
Paint Brush (packs of these come for $6 or less)
Paint – White Acrylic matte finish
I chose a white base all the time. Since this will be for your own house, most likely, just use whatever quality of paint suits your budget. You can get 2 fl ounces for $1 or something list Liquitex BASICS Acrylic Paint is only $6 for 4 fl ounces.
HANGING ($10)
Command Strips (pack of 12 is $10) work just fine and don’t require any additional tools. That being said – use what makes you happy. Don’t stress out about it.
FINAL THOUGHTS AND PRICE
For the last thoughts – I think you are really going to find life in your hobby. I have found a place to got and enjoy creating while having my sons near me.
The total cost of set up for you could be $60 – pretty great for a set of three 8×10 pieces of wall art. On Etsy and 8×10 is sold for about $30 – a piece. So if you need to convince someone based on the math – there you go!
Enjoy friend!
