Setting up your dorm room is probably 70 percent of the reason why starting classes is so exciting. Nothing makes your space the perfect study and hang out spot more than art, especially art that you’ve made. Follow this easy DIY to create a unique art piece for your new dorm.
This is what you’ll need: A wooden block, old dictionary or book (use newspaper or magazine pages as an alternative), acrylic binder, two plates, paint brush, Stencil1 Oak Tree stencil, Cleveland Grey and First Place Metallic Plutonium aerosol paint, spray adhesive and painters tape.
Step one: Look thorough your dictionary for pages you’d like to decoupage to the wooden block. We searched for pages with nature-themed pictures and words. Tear out full pages at first and once you start decoupaging you can trim them.
Step two: Start arranging your pages on the wooden block. Play with the placement of the pages so that certain words and images are peeking out. You can also tear pages to create more textured edges. You don’t need to plan out the entire block, just a section to get you started. Pour some binder on one plate. Use the other plate as a surface to apply the decoupage.
Step 3: With a brush, apply a thin layer onto the back of the paper. Cover the entire surface and then place it on the block with the decoupaged side down. Once it is placed where you want it, apply another thin layer of binder over the paper.
Step 4: Continue this process until the entire block is covered and then allow it to dry for 30 minutes to an hour.
Step 5: Spray adhesive on the back of the stencil and place it on the block. Tape the sides of the stencil down to cover exposed paper. Paint the tree with the gold paint first and then apply highlights with the green paint. Carefully remove the stencil and allow the paint to dry. We loved how the addition of the green created a moss-like effect!
Step 6: Place this on your desk, take a picture and share what you made with us!
