Backdrops can be painted to resemble faraway places.
Theater backdrops help create the mood of a production, by providing a background to the action that is taking place on stage. A backdrop can be painted to resemble the night sky or someone's living room in a play and lend to a character's world, allowing the audience to become engaged in the story.
Instructions
1. Sketch the backdrop on a clean sheet of paper, using a pencil. Drawing your scene before you paint it onto the canvas will allow you to make any changes necessary before you paint your final product. Color your scene on paper with color pencils, using the same colors that will be used on your backdrop.
2. Create a drawing grid on your backdrop sketch. This grid will allow you to properly transfer the image from the paper onto a larger surface, such as your canvas. Create 8 to 16 squares on your paper, using a ruler and number each box once your grid has been created. Each square will contain a section of the drawing, which will allow you to transfer that section onto the canvas.
3. Lay your canvas down outside and place bricks on each corner to prevent it from moving or curling up. Fill several tin canisters with water to clean your brushes after each use. Prime your canvas with white acrylic paint, covering it completely from corner to corner. Once painted, allow it to air dry. After drying, add another layer of white paint and allow it to dry once again.
4. Draw the same amount of grid lines that were made on the sketch with pencil on the canvas. Number each box with the same corresponding numbers from the drawing. Begin drawing the shapes inside of each box on the drawing on the canvas. These grid lines will not be visible on the final product, as they will be painted over when the backdrop is complete.
5. Paint your image on the canvas, using your sketch as a guide, with your acrylic paints. Dip your paint brushes in water frequently to moisten them and prevent the paint from drying on the brushes. Once the water has become murky, toss it out and replace it with fresh water to prevent unwanted streaks of another color on the canvas.
