Arts >> Art >> Other Art

DIY Wheat Paste Wall Art

Originally an advertising medium, wheat paste art is a collage technique, commonly utilized by street artists and social activists. Wheat paste is a simple, non-toxic adhesive made from flour and water. Similar to wallpaper paste, wheat paste will bond paper to just about any flat surface, including walls or stretched canvas. It is particularly useful as an adhesive and a protective finish for posters and large-scale artworks on paper.

Things You'll Need

  • All-purpose flour
  • Wheat starch powder (optional)
  • Water
  • Sauce pan or small pot
  • Scissors
  • White glue (optional)
  • Plastic or metal container with lid
  • Paint brush
  • Pens or other drawing implements
  • Blank copier paper, tracing paper or newsprint
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Choose your paper. Tracing paper and newsprint work well. Blank copier paper and typing paper are suitable, as long as the sheets are not too thick. Laser printer and other heavy papers are not appropriate for wheat pasting. If you want the design to be larger than a single sheet of paper, glue several sheets together and let them dry.

    • 2

      Draft your design, using a pen or other drawing instrument. Alternatively, you may use a computer to draft your design and print it out. After creating your artwork, cut out the image with scissors or just leave it as is.

    • 3

      Make the wheat paste with flour and water. For a delicate paste to use with tissue paper, use wheat starch powder and water. Measure 1 cup all-purpose flour and 4 cups water in individual containers. Bring the water to a boil in a small pot on the stove. Gradually add the flour while stirring constantly, preferably using a whisk. Cook for 10 minutes, while stirring to avoid lumps. Remove from heat and let cool. Pour the wheat paste into a sealable plastic or metal container. Wheat paste must be kept refrigerated when not in use.

    • 4

      Decide where to paste your design. You can paste it onto a support, such as stretched canvas or wood, which you can then mount on a wall -- or you can paste it directly onto a wall, as long as it has a relatively smooth surface. Be certain about where to paste your artwork, because it will be difficult to remove after drying.

    • 5

      Apply a thin coating of wheat paste to the wall or support, using a paint brush. While the paste is still wet, lay your artwork on top of it and press gently so that it adheres to the surface. Apply another thin coating of wheat paste over the design, brushing any air bubbles out. Let the pasted artwork dry for a few hours.

Other Art

Related Categories