Halloween Altered Thrift Store Art
22 August
Old art prints and paintings are a common thrift store find. The frames and art section is one of my favorite spots to dig for treasures.
The gems are few and far between, but there's no shortage of old, outdated, or just plain ugly pieces.
But when you see what you can transform these into, you'll be looking at them in a new light!
Halloween Altered Thrift Store Art
Don't be afraid to try this. You don't have to be an expert painter to accomplish something similar and the supplies are so cheap it won't matter if it doesn't turn out just as you expected.
I almost ruined this one but I was able to save it!
This is the picture I found for just $1.00. I wasn't even planning this project when I got this picture. Originally, I thought I could resell it as-is but you can see how scratched up the plastic frame was and two of the tabs that hold the glass in place had broken off (you can see one sitting at the bottom of the picture and the glass has slid down at the top).
.jpg "thrifted picture")
I removed the picture from the frame (it's just a cheap print on cardboard with a fake picture mat) and got to work transforming it for Halloween.
.jpg "cheap thrift store print")
I wanted to incorporate more fall colors into the picture so I used a small stencil brush and dabbed on some brown, orange, and yellow to add more color and fullness to the trees.
.jpg "painting the trees")
.jpg "dab paint onto the trees with a stencil brush")
Then I darkened the tree trunks and branches.
.jpg "painting the tree trunk and branches")
It was so bad I didn't even take a picture 😖 Then I made matters worse by trying to sand it lightly to lighten up the stupid haunted house but that didn't work.
I ended up adding a normal-looking house back in, and I like the scratches. They make it look older and add to the Halloween vibe.
But first, I added some ghosts, my favorite is this one peeking from behind the tree.
.jpg "adding more ghosts and fixing the house")
The frame is plastic and at first, I was going to paint it black but then I thought that would be too much. I wanted it to look more like just a normal picture at first glance but then when you do a double-take, you see all the spooky little details!
I used black paint to bring out the details on the frame by just painting along the grooves and then wiping it back off.
.jpg "adding black to bring out the details of the frame")
.jpg "painting the frame")
It was also scratched up pretty badly in some areas. I decided to try Rub 'n Buff to see if I could cover some of the scratches. I just rubbed it on with my finger.
.jpg "using rub n' buff on the frame")
.jpg "rub n' buff to cover the frame scratches")
It worked even better than I expected and it's a nicer shade of gold too. Here's a before and after of one section of the frame.
All that was left was to put it all back together.
.jpg "finished Halloween Altered Thrift Store Art")
.jpg "witch on horseback altered painting")
.jpg "ghost hiding behind a tree")
.jpg "eyes under the bridge and cobwebs")
.jpg "how to alter a thrift store painting")
.jpg "altering thrifted art for Halloween")
.jpg "altered thrifted art")
What do you think?
.jpg "Halloween Altered Thrift Store Art before and after")
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Posted by: Tania | Little Vintage Cottage
at 22 August
Tag:
fall
I love it! It looks so much better just with the scenery brightened up and the re-do of the frame.
ReplyDeleteThe witch costume is a great addition and the ghosts and ghoul under the bridge are perfect! Very fun for Halloween!
Thank you!
DeleteI love it - your version is so cute! And that Rub n' Buff worked wonders. The cute little pumpkins are my favorite part. (:
ReplyDeleteThank you Gina!
DeleteI think it’s fantabulous.. You did something I never would have thought of. I might even give it a try if I can find a picture/frame like you did. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteI've seen this trendy craft before, but yours is honestly the best. Most just add a ghost or two, you completely made this painting over and it's perfect!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Kim!
DeleteI love how your picture turned out Tania! I've never seen one done like this with so many details. Super fun!
ReplyDeleteThank you Tuula!
Delete