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How to Mount Original Art on Canvas

Mounting artwork is a practical and inexpensive alternative to framing. Due to their archival quality, acrylic gel mediums bind well and will hold your artwork to the surface of an art board for many years to come. Mounting is especially common among watercolor and pastel artists who create their work on fine papers that are delicate and easily damaged. When submitting art to galleries and museums, most will require your pieces to be framed or mounted before being put on display.

Things You'll Need

  • Art board
  • Acrylic gel medium
  • Large paintbrush
  • Canvas
  • Ink brayer
  • Cloth
  • Craft knife
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place the art board on a clean, flat surface.

    • 2

      Apply the acrylic gel medium over the entire surface of the art board with a large paintbrush. The coating should be moderately thick. Make sure to apply the coating all the way to the edges of the art board. However, do not allow the medium to run over the edges or get on the sides of the art board.

    • 3

      Smooth out the acrylic gel medium so that there aren't any bumps or uneven areas.

    • 4

      Place your canvas on the art board by lining the corners of the canvas up with the corner of the art board. Gently press down the corners of the canvas with your fingers to make sure that the edges meet up properly.

    • 5

      Use an ink brayer to press the canvas against the gel medium and the art board. Starting from the center of the canvas, gently roll out toward the edges in a back and forth motion. Wipe any excess gel medium from the edges of the art board with a cloth as your work.

    • 6

      Turn your art board upside-down and allow it to dry overnight.

    • 7

      Use a craft knife to carefully trim any portions of the paper that overlap the art board. Do this once the gel medium has dried.

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