How to create awesome wall art with puzzle pieces, a small canvas, and bit of glue. This easy project is not only fun to make, but the end result is something beautiful you can hang on any wall of your home. It’s the perfect homemade craft for all ages, including us bored adults looking for something creative to make on a rainy day.
What You’ll Need
- Any size canvas
- paint for the tree trunk
- small paint brush
- tacky glue
- colorful puzzle pieces (preferably small)
- a few glasses of wine (optional)
Step One: Paint A Tree Trunk
Before we get to the puzzle pieces, we need to make our tree trunk! I simply used brown acrylic paint to make mine on a 16×20 canvas. Most of the branches will eventually get covered, so I wouldn’t spend too much time there (like I did). The trunk is what will be on full display.
Step Two: Glue on Your Puzzle Pieces
Once you’re happy with your tree trunk, break out your glue and puzzle pieces– it’s time to get to work! Arrange the pieces all around the tree limbs. I first separated out the colorful pieces from the box that I wanted to use and kind of organized them by color, but I’m a bit crazy. Have fun and arrange the puzzle pieces however you’d like.
Step Three: The Final Touches
Once I had my tree full, I decided to add some falling pieces to fill in all the blank space. You could also get super artsy and draw a swing on the tree, add flowers, paint on some grass, or anything else creative to add extra details.
Helpful Tips
- You don’t need very much glue to adhere the puzzle pieces. A small dab will do.
- If you don’t have any old puzzles to use, try Goodwill or any second hand store to pick one up. It’s ok if they’re missing pieces!
- The smaller your puzzle pieces, the less gaps you’ll have in-between each piece. I used a 1000 piece puzzle and they seemed to be the perfect size.
- Try layering some of the pieces to fill in empty space and create a visually appealing 3-D effect.
- The project does not have to be immaculate. In fact, you could draw on a basic tree trunk to get the kids started, and then let them have fun gluing on all the puzzle pieces.
- Consider other art concepts outside of puzzle leaves. You could use puzzle pieces to fill in a skirt on a dancer or ballerina, fill in a head of hair on a portrait, flower petals in a garden, or anything else you can imagine up.
I can’t think of a more whimsical way to turn a boring white canvas into something you’d actually want to hang on your wall. You can make this leafy tree as colorful or plain as you’d like depending on the room you plan on hanging it in, so choose your puzzle carefully!
