How to Make Outdoor Canvas Artwork

I like to think of this project as my version of an outdoor frame TV! We have really enjoyed having a TV on the patio this year. The cost of an actual outdoor television can range anywhere from $1,500 to $25,000. With this outdoor TV enclosure I found, you can turn any standard TV into an outdoor TV. It has been the perfect solution for our patio space, but the look of the TV enclosure itself… not so aesthetically pleasing. I found a way to disguise it to look like a piece of canvas artwork instead. In fact, you don’t even need to make this specifically for an outdoor TV enclosure. You could simply just make the outdoor canvas artwork and hang it as-is on an exterior wall or fence.

Supplies Needed to Make Outdoor Canvas Artwork:

• 1” foam Board
• Canvas Artwork (You can follow this tutorial on how to turn a digital download into canvas art or use anything else you want), this is the digital art I use
• Spray Adhesive (for outdoor use)
• Urethane Spray (for outdoor use)
• Large PVC Molding
• Small PVC Molding
• Power Grab Adhesive
• Black Spray Paint
• Rub n Buff, in gold leaf color
• Liquid Nails Fuze It Max (for outdoor use)

Tools Needed to Make Outdoor Canvas Artwork:

• Jig Saw
• Finish Nailer
• Round Paint Brush
• Caulk Gun

Optional Supplies to Hang the Outdoor Canvas Artwork:

• Outdoor TV Enclosure (32”-44” size)
• The exact TV we used (the 43” size)
• Vinyl Siding Hooks

The Process for Creating the Outdoor Canvas Artwork

My goal was to try to keep this outdoor canvas artwork as light (in weight) as possible. Mounting the canvas to a ridged piece of foam seemed like the best way to do that. So, let’s start by tracing the lid of the TV enclosure on a piece of 1” thick foam board (or cut the foam board to your desired size if not mounting to a TV enclosure). A jig saw will cut through the foam easily or you could use any type of hand saw as well.

When you’re ready to attach your canvas to the foam board, you’ll want to give your canvas a quick iron to smooth out any wrinkles. With your canvas lying face down, cover the backside of it with this special outdoor spray adhesive. I also sprayed the foam board as well for extra coverage. Once both pieces are heavily coated, line up the foam board with your canvas and press firmly. Flip the whole thing over and smooth out any wrinkles and air pockets. Spray it with a few coats of outdoor urethane to help protect the canvas from moisture and sunlight and trim off any excess fabric.

The Process for Creating the Outdoor Frame

I’ve decided to go with PVC molding for the frame of the canvas since it will be outdoors and exposed to the elements. These are the two pieces of molding we’ll be using to create the frame. Once these two pieces of PVC molding are combined, they will create a nice chunky frame, as well as a lip for our canvas to sit in.

I found it easier to glue the two pieces of PVC trim together first before making my cuts. You can do this with some power grab adhesive and clamps. I’d recommend adding a shim under the smaller pieces of PVC molding to create the “lip” of the frame.

Once the pieces of molding are adhered together you can make your 45-degree cuts to frame out the canvas. I used a little power grab adhesive again and some finish nails to assemble the frame.

I’ve decided to go gold with my frame. To do this, you’ll want to give the PVC a light sand so the paint adheres better. Wipe down the frame and use a black spray paint for the base layer. After the frame is completely coated and dry, you can go over the entire thing with rub n buff. I used the gold leaf color of rub and buff and applied it with this round paintbrush. Lastly, I sprayed it down with the same outdoor urethane to help protect it.

Assembling the Outdoor Canvas Artwork

To attach the canvas to the frame, we’ll use this heavy-duty outdoor liquid nails adhesive. Run a bead of it along the inside lip of the frame and then put your canvas in place. I did add a few finish nails as well to secure it just a bit more. At this point, if you plan to just hang the outdoor canvas, then you’re done! Woohoo! I took mine one step further and attached it to the cover of our outdoor TV enclosure. I used the same Liquid Nails Fuze It Max to do so.

The Finished Outdoor Canvas Artwork

Can you think of a place outside your home where you would add canvas artwork? Any eyesores that need covering? I did find these vinyl siding hooks that would come in handy if you were to just hang it on an exterior wall.

Supplies

1” foam Board | Digital Art | Spray Adhesive | Urethane Spray | Large PVC Molding | Small PVC Molding | Power Grab Adhesive | Black Spray Paint | Rub n Buff | Liquid Nails Fuze It Max | Outdoor TV Enclosure (32”-44” size) | TV (the 43” size) | Vinyl Siding Hooks