Kmart Hack ~ Step by Step DIY Textured Seascape Wall Art
I can’t wait to show you my Kmart hack that inspired my first series of beach landscape paintings! 🌈🖼️ It’s amazing how a little creativity and a few affordable materials can transform a simple frame into a stunning art piece. Join me in this playful DIY coastal decor adventure and let’s brighten up our spaces!
You’re not limited to umbrellas; any beach aerial photo you’ve taken or discovered online will work perfectly. Simply adjust the following steps to fit your chosen image, dive in, and don’t hesitate to reach out for help if you need it! Plus if you don’t like, remember you can always paint over it!
If I can do it, you can too…😂
What you will need
A framed canvas from Kmart or equivalent (a blank canvas means less prep work). You can usually pick up one on clearance for around $15.00 AUD; https://www.kmart.com.au/category/home-and-living/wall-art/?f.Product%20Type=Framed%20Canvas
A stainless steel palette or painting knife. I skint on many an art supply but this is not one of them! Metal palette knives glide across the canvas and if you forget to wash it after painting (like I do) the paint will come off easy after soaking. The same cannot be said for the plastic versions.
Those in Australia can pick up a ‘Born Painting Knife’ for $8.00 AUD. I recommend this one with the pointed edge to help shape our waves and umbrellas; https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/born-painting-knife-no-8-jaa401214
An (interior) paint brush for the base coat to cover the canvas image (if required). You can use your painting knife here in its place if you like. This will add further texture. https://www.bunnings.com.au/search/products?q=paint+brush&sort=BoostOrder&page=1
A medium-sized paintbrush for the umbrella stripes (optional). Something similar to this would be suitable; https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/born-round-pony-paintbrush-size-8-jaa401376
Wall spack or wall filler. This can be purchased from Bunnings for $6.50. 1 small tub should do the trick. https://www.bunnings.com.au/uni-pro-500g-multi-purpose-interior-filler_p1210281
White paint to cover the original artwork if you are repurposing. This can be old house paint or anything you may have laying around.
Something to mix your colours on. It doesn’t have to be a palette - you will most likely ditch it after so save some money here. I love to use plastic containers or recycled ice cream lids.
A pencil or chalk to draw in the outline of the beach and umbrellas (optional). To give you an idea on umbrella size, my smallest was 2.5 cm and my largest 3.5 cm. *Left-handers may want to flip the artwork.
Tape for the wood-look edges (if needed)
Affordable acrylic paints in your desired seascape colours. Lately, I've found myself a bit lazy about mixing colours, often spending more time on that than actually painting! So I tend to purchase premixed shades that are close to what I need. To cut costs though, you can always opt for primary colours and mix them the old-fashioned way. I also make use of whatever I have available, like children's poster paints or leftover house paint.
Here is a guide to the colours I would start with as a base;
‘Sand’ from Officeworks for the beach sand; https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/born-acrylic-paint-60ml-sand-bo400922
Dark blue for the ocean
Possibly green for some teal in the ocean but again this is just a guide. You can paint your water any colour you like!
Umbrella colours (think brights or a colour scheme that suits your interior decor. Use Pinterest if you get stuck for ideas!)
Yay! You have your supplies. How exciting! Let’s get stuck in and remember any mistakes can be wiped off with a damp cloth or painted over - that’s why we are working with acrylic.
Step 1
Mask the wood-look frame as best you can. Although I found any acrylic / filler that dried on my frame could be wiped or scratched off.
Step 2
If necessary, paint a rough layer of white paint over the original picture. I like to have a tiny bit of the underlying colour peeping through (especially in the corners and around the edges.) I love using leftover house paint for my backgrounds as it adds extra texture but white acrylic or whatever you can find is fine here.
Let that dry (the sun or a hairdryer helps speed this up if you are itching to get to the good parts).
Step 3 (optional)
I always like to draw in a rough outline of what I'm painting so I don't have to keep referring back to my reference picture.
I use pencil so I can erase it later but even chalk is also a good option here.
Step 4
Paint or palette knife the sand in first so it sits in nicely underneath the waves (you will get in the flow of using the palette knife and if you anything like me - will absolutely love the technique and texture it creates). I also like to add in a touch of fluoro yellow into my sand to give it a little extra something.
Let this layer dry (this might be a good time to go to Step 5 and create your ocean-coloured paints!).
Step 5
Start by blending your wave colors with white wall filler as a base, then incorporate a touch of your colored acrylic paints. I recommend mixing 4-5 shades of various ocean hues before you begin painting the waves. Take a scoop of filler with your painting knife and blend in a small amount of blue; if you prefer a teal-blue ocean, you can also add a hint of green here. Keep mixing until you achieve at least four different shades, progressing to a deep blue.
Add your acrylic colour into the white filler in very small increments as it is easier to add in a little colour than it is to dilute a saturated colour with white.
Step 6
Once you've finished with the sand, take your clean painting knife and apply a whitewash shoreline using the wall filler on top.
Combine your white filler with a touch of the lightest blue you've mixed, and create a band of this colour next to the whitewash. Gradually work your way up the canvas, adding darker shades as you progress. Keep layering until you reach the top corner with your deepest blue, and don't worry if you want to revisit certain areas; the ocean's colour transitions are naturally imperfect, just like my final piece.
So we don’t smudge the paint, let that dry before moving on to your umbrellas. This will take a day or so…sorryyyyy! Haha.
Step 7
In the same way you mixed your ocean blues, mix your umbrella colours. You will only need a small amount of filler and paint here as your umbrellas will hopefully be relatively small.
Step 8
Start by practicing your umbrella designs on a piece of paper. I recommend beginning with a circular shape using your palette knife. Sweep the knife from the outer edge toward the center to form the tip, going around the umbrella as you go.
If you get the knack of it straight away then apply them straight to your canvas! Otherwise, you can create them on paper first, and once they are dry, simply cut them out and glue them onto your artwork.
Allow the umbrellas made with your painting knife to dry completely before proceeding to the stripes in Step 9.
Step 9
Add in any umbrella stripes or dual tones. You can try using your medium-sized paintbrush on a dry umbrella to create the striped sections .
Step 10
Be sure to pat yourself on the back and sign and hang your beautiful piece. Also, please send me a pic! I would love to see what you have created!!!
I'd love to hear if you decide to try it out! Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have. If you find yourself unable to start, just share what's stopping you. I genuinely think that more art in the world would make it a brighter place, and I'm here to help you transform those empty walls at home—and bring some joy to your heart.
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Guess what guys - this is available in a beautiful print (all the way up to A2 size!). You can find it in my ‘shop’ here.
‘Nazare’ - Coastal Print of the painting featured in this DIY