Mixed Media Carousel Canvas with Perfect Paints

beckyconley
May 28
3 min read

Hello crafty people! This project was a bit of an art salvage. I had a few paint poured canvasses made with left over paints that I wasn't too excited about, they needed tender love, care and embellishing. So I picked one of those. And, I had a vintage Carousel puzzle that had too many pieces missing. I was able to get a complete image of a carousel horse for this project.

Puzzle art of a person riding a horse, surrounded by colorful, swirled circles against a textured green and blue background. — Mixed Media Carousel

SUPPLIES:

Perfect Paints Shimmering Matte Acrylics

#1003 Rainstorm

#1004 Spring Green

#1008 Bright Gold

#1203 Perfect Clear Texture Gel

OTHER SUPPLIES: 12 X 16" painted canvas, carousel puzzle, hot glue, parchment paper, paint brushes, pallette knife, liquid glue, epoxy, spray varnish and white ink pen.

This is the unremarkable paint pour canvas I selected as the background because it had similar colors as the puzzle and a few small interesting spots.

Abstract painting with swirling blue, green, and yellow patterns. The vibrant colors blend smoothly, creating a dynamic, flowing effect.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Glue or mod podge the selcted carousel image together to make it easier to manage.
Work on placement of the carousel and the angle of the bubble rays to shoot out. Cut 1/8' strips of white paper to help with the "bubble rays". Use a white pen and round object to trace for bubbles. I used the white ink pen because I wasn't sure how black or blue ink might bleed into the other mediums.
Glue the carousel puzzle into place on the background canvas.

Puzzle pieces form a colorful rider on a horse, set against a vibrant swirling green and blue background. Tubes and lines intersect the image. — mixed media carousel

Trace the round objects onto white paper with regular pen or marker. Count how many large and small you'll need and do them all at once.

Hot glue circles
Place parchment paper over white paper. Tape it down so it won't move. Trace the circles with hot glue. Also make straight lines along the edge of the paper to use for the "connectors". Don't be concerned with the absolute uniformity of the circles, it's supposed to be a bit whimsical.
Once the hot glue is set, paint it with Perfect Paints Shimmering Matte Acrylic #1008 Bright Gold. It took about 3-4 coats for excellent coverage.
Remove the painted hot glue circles and glue them into place on the background canvas. Cut the straight lines to fit in between to connect the bubbles. There was a "skin" of paint around the edges of the hot glue. Rub gently with your fingernail and it will flake off.
Painting the glue circles with Shimmering Matte Acrylic Paint
Tint #1203 Perfect Clear Texture Gel with #1003 Rainstorm Perfect Paints Shimmering Matte Acrylic and apply with a palette knife and paint brush to the outer 2 sections and the middle section. Spread the medium all around an in the small nooks, but keep a textured application. This finish was selected specifically because it will cover any imperfections in the surface of the poured paint base as well as maximize the shimmer of the Perfect Paints Shimmering Matte Acrylics.
Tint #1203 Perfect Clear Texture Gel with #1004 Spring Green Perfect Paints Shimmering Matte Acrylic and apply with a palette knife and paint brush to the remaining 2 spaces. Let dry completely.
If you get any cracking, brush over with a second, thinner coat.
Seal the project with a heavy coat of spray varnish. Dry completely.
Mix epoxy according to the manufacturers' instructions and pour into the "bubbles" areas, careful not to overflow. Allow the epoxy to cure for the recommended time on the product box.
mixed media carousel