DIY artwork

Dinah93

This might sound obvious, but the most important thing when buying or making any kind of art is that you like it! You are going to have to look at this piece everyday, so it should really be something that inspires you or motivates you. You don't need a huge amount of skill to put paint to canvas, just inspiration. I enjoy going around craft fairs and exhibitions to get new ideas. Fun day out and usually free too!

I not only collect pieces of art, mostly canvas, wall hangings and glasswork,but I paint and experiment in using other media such as perspex, clay and sheet metal on canvas. Great fun and ocassionally you can come up with things you really like. The sense of achievement can't be bought in any shop either! Plus you get a picture that no one else has, as opposed to an attractive but identikit pre-printed from ikea. If you have the money, it's worth spending the extra £10 £25 or £100 to get something that really excites you. If you're lucky you might even find it's worth a bit more a few years down the line. When i was young i remember saving up my money from my birthday, babysitting, pocket money etc to buy a painting from my friend's dad's gallery. Her dad was Macenzie Thorpe and that painting is probably worth a bit more now I think, but I haven't had it valued as quite simply, I like it and wouldn't want to part with it as it was my first ever painting.

I found this earlier and thought it might provide a giggle - proof that anyone, if they set their mind to it, can create 'art'!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Polystyrene-cup-highly-decorated-detailed-was-bored_W0QQitemZ110216561228QQihZ001QQcategoryZ60442QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

redballoon_2

au natural sells canvas with a design printed on, all you need to do is colour it in using paint!

you could splash some colour on to it and let it run down the canvas for a random creation

mrshulbert

I like to go to shops like 'the range' and take stealthy photos of easy art prints and ready-made canvases I like on my phone, then copy them at home in colours that work better in my house.
May not save a *lot* of money, but definitely more fun and unique that getting mass-produced copies from a factory.

MONEYMAKINGMUM

I would give making your own a go, if you don't like it add to it 'til you do. (If it turns out that bad ditch it & start over) If your good at sewing maybe applique a collage to frame. (from any material you have already, curtains, t-shirts, ribbons)
If you wanted a masterpiece, you can buy a 'paint by numbers' famous print & diy. Imagine a Mona Lisa painted by you! I think Tate Gallery sells them, but the mse in me would try my creations 1st.