How to repurpose an old picture?

I don't know if this is the right forum, but I have an old cheap picture that I am wanting to reclaim to make a statement piece for my son's first house. It is two feet by four feet and I am wanting to use it vertically. I have taken the picture out of the frame and want to paint directly on it. It is a print that has been glued to a lightweight backing. The problem is that I don't have an artistic bone in my body. I need ideas for an abstract painting easy enough for me to not mess up. I want to use earth tones and replace it into the original frame.
  15 answers
  • Christine Christine on Jul 13, 2015
    I would pick your favorite earth tone colors and paint different size stripes across it and then stain it. It doesn't matter if your lines are straight or it the paint is thick in some spots... the stain will cover all that up and give it a really nice look. And if you don't like how it turns out, just paint it again until you get a look you like. I would use Folkart or Applebarrel brand paints and stain that you can get at your local craft store.
  • Carole Carole on Jul 14, 2015
    You could make an abstract design using masking tape to keep the lines straight. You could even go for a Mondrian type effect. Then just paint inside the lines. When the paint dries, peel off the masking tape.
  • Gilly Gilly on Jul 14, 2015
    I did a blog post on just that: http://www.coloursaturatedlife.com/art-fix-ikat-upcycled-art/ - it shows you all the steps in pictures, plus I did another version here: http://www.coloursaturatedlife.com/art-fix-ikat-redo/ Good Luck and have fun!
    • See 1 previous
    • Gilly Gilly on Jul 15, 2015
      @Nita Thanks!
  • Karen Adcock Karen Adcock on Jul 14, 2015
    I saw in a hotel in DC 2 great art pieces. First the canvas (or in your case the board) was covered with white burlap. Then attached to that was a Moroccan or East Indian piece of fabric. I found on line Moroccan Pillow Covers with the mirrors in them. The square pillow fabric I placed above the center line on a rectangular shaped canvas. May not be what you want in style but there are many artful fabrics that could be used. My living room had no Moroccan feel to it. In fact it was very traditional, but the fabric matched several pieces in the room.
  • Chris Chris on Jul 14, 2015
    https://www.pinterest.com/pin/341499584221700226/ I'd say just go for the auto and don't worry about how it looks. Just pick your colors and splash the paint on.
  • Lucy Nunn Lucy Nunn on Jul 15, 2015
    Check out David Bromstad's artwork on Google. He does more colorful work, but very hip and very abstract.
  • Lindcurt Lindcurt on Jul 15, 2015
    I love the quotes on a canvas . Use stick on letters for the quote directly on the old photo. Spray paint over the letters and then peel off the letters when the paint is dry. there are many tutorials on pinterest.
  • Sue Sue on Jul 17, 2015
    I deco-podged a picture I got from the internet to the doors of a desk I painted. I had to divide the picture in pieces to get the right size. Then I hand painted and shaded around the edge and accented with a champaign pearl finish with acrylic paint. Email me if I can help at suecastaneda@frontier.com Check out the desk I did.
  • Connie-Jo Nellis Connie-Jo Nellis on Jul 18, 2015
    I like the idea of the quote but I'd paint brush a finish on it. You could use all the colors that you want to match the decor and just free brush the color on. When you peel the letters off, the colors would be awesome.
  • Jo Jo on Jul 18, 2015
    I made a chaulkboard out of the one that I had. I didn't want to put up any artwork because I was redecorating, needed a large area to fill and the chaulkboard was, what I'll call "neutral vintage". Friends doodle on it, or leave messages and I write my grocery or to-do lists. It's gotten more use too! We also used it at my daughter's wedding and baby shower.
  • Debby Shreffler Stanton Debby Shreffler Stanton on Jul 18, 2015
    I haven't decided what to do yet, but I need to hurry. I have about two weeks and I want it to be a surprise, so I think that's the reason I'm stuck. I think I could do a Mondrian, but I'm not sure how that would look with earth tones! I love everyone's suggestions, so thanks and keep them coming!
  • Ar_prestridge Ar_prestridge on Jul 19, 2015
    Craft stores have all kinds of stencils to choose from and some are quit lovely. There are some masculine ones as well as woodsy, folksy and homey ones. It doesn't take long to stencil and you could combine several to get exactly what you want. Good luck. Wish I were there. I'd do it for you. I looooooove to paint and do craftsy stuff.
  • Michele Curlee Michele Curlee on Jul 20, 2015
    I would start with his style preference. Is it formal, casual, traditional of contemporary, that would send you in a specific direction. Antique, modern art, shabby chic, etc.
  • Jo Jo on Jul 21, 2015
    Michele brought up a good point. What is your son's style preference? Just to see what would pop up, I googled Mondrian Earth Tones and then clicked on Images. It brought up some interesting ideas.