Art Works by Karen Fincannon: Making a Floorcloth

Step 1
To make a floorcloth, you first have to buy canvas, or a pre-made floorcloth. I usually buy mine through Lake Arts Distributors in Flowery Branch, Georgia (1-888-464-2787). They specialize in the distribution of floorcloth and mural canvas, with widths up to 12 feet. You can buy canvas in bulk and also floorcloths which are primed, glued, and ready to paint. The prices are extremely reasonable. This floorcloth was about 6' x 9' in size, was already primed on both sides and ready to paint, and cost less than $60. You can also buy the canvas, stretch it on stretcher strips, then prime the canvas and paint, but it's much easier to just buy the primed cloth.

Step 2

First I measured out the floorcloth. This particular cloth was to measure approximately 72" x 95". The floorcloth I bought was about 84" x 108", so I marked off the interior to the 72" x 95". This left the border shown to the left.

IMPORTANT! Mark off the floorcloth with a colored pencil, not a regular graphite pencil. Graphite will show through paint, while colored pencil will be transparent under paint.

Step 3

After marking off the floorcloth, score your marks with something sharp enough to allow folding of the floorcloth, without cutting through to the other side. In the picture to the left, I am using a closed pair of scissors.

Step 4

After scoring the ends of the floorcloth, I fold them to create an edge.

Step 5

I use some kind of roller to create a firm crease in the floorcloth edges. This will help after I have finished painting the floorcloth and want to glue the edges underneath.

Step 6

After creasing the edges, I flip the floorcloth over to begin painting. For this floorcloth, the client wanted a pattern of small painted squares for a border, with large squares containing different vegetables in the middle.

Step 7

I begin painting. For this floorcloth, I used a light yellow color as the base. I used a paint roller because of the size of the floorcloth, and also so I wouldn't have to worry about a shedding paint brush.

Step 8

Here I begin to measure out 2" x 2" squares for the border of the floorcloth. Once again, I mark the squares off with a colored pencil so the marks will not show through the paint.

Step 9

Ran out of time, page Two Coming in July, 2003!

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Step 1	To make a floorcloth, you first have to buy canvas, or a pre-made floorcloth. I usually buy mine through Lake Arts Distributors in Flowery Branch, Georgia (1-888-464-2787). They specialize in the distribution of floorcloth and mural canvas, with widths up to 12 feet. You can buy canvas in bulk and also floorcloths which are primed, glued, and ready to paint. The prices are extremely reasonable. This floorcloth was about 6' x 9' in size, was already primed on both sides and ready to paint, and cost less than $60. You can also buy the canvas, stretch it on stretcher strips, then prime the canvas and paint, but it's much easier to just buy the primed cloth.
Step 2	First I measured out the floorcloth. This particular cloth was to measure approximately 72" x 95". The floorcloth I bought was about 84" x 108", so I marked off the interior to the 72" x 95". This left the border shown to the left. IMPORTANT! Mark off the floorcloth with a colored pencil, not a regular graphite pencil. Graphite will show through paint, while colored pencil will be transparent under paint.
Step 3	After marking off the floorcloth, score your marks with something sharp enough to allow folding of the floorcloth, without cutting through to the other side. In the picture to the left, I am using a closed pair of scissors.
Step 4	After scoring the ends of the floorcloth, I fold them to create an edge.
Step 5	I use some kind of roller to create a firm crease in the floorcloth edges. This will help after I have finished painting the floorcloth and want to glue the edges underneath.
Step 6	After creasing the edges, I flip the floorcloth over to begin painting. For this floorcloth, the client wanted a pattern of small painted squares for a border, with large squares containing different vegetables in the middle.
Step 7	I begin painting. For this floorcloth, I used a light yellow color as the base. I used a paint roller because of the size of the floorcloth, and also so I wouldn't have to worry about a shedding paint brush.
Step 8	Here I begin to measure out 2" x 2" squares for the border of the floorcloth. Once again, I mark the squares off with a colored pencil so the marks will not show through the paint.
Step 9	Ran out of time, page Two Coming in July, 2003!
home \| paintings \| ceramics \| floorcloths \| beads \| whatsnew \| galleries \| artist info \| contact

The Making of a Floorcloth