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How to make string art in negative space

Step 1

How to make string art in negative space

Plywood paint

After determining the proper height and width for your art piece, lay out a sheet of 3/4” paint grade plywood cut to size at your local home improvement store. Lay the plywood on a flat, level surface over the drop cloth. Paint the front and sides of the plywood with the colored latex paint.

Step 2

How to make string art in negative space

Silhouette of the trail

Use chalk to draw the image directly onto the painted plywood.

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Step 3

How to make string art in negative space

Add the nails

Use needle-nose pliers to hold each 1" stainless steel nail in place along the chalk outline, then hammer the nails into place about 1/4" apart.

Stage 4

How to make string art in negative space

Remove the chalk

Once all the nails in the image are added to the traced silhouette, use the detail brush to remove the chalk.

Step 5

How to make string art in negative space

Add nails to the perimeter

Using needle-nose pliers, hold the picture nails in place spaced 1/4” apart along the perimeter of the plywood, then hammer in with a hammer. This perimeter of nails is what the rope will be attached to from the nails around the traced silhouette.

Step 6

How to make string art in negative space How to make string art in negative space

Wrap the string

Unwind the spool of white thread, then note it in place along a perimeter nail.

Once the rope has been knotted, randomly move it back and forth, wrapping it around different nails between the perimeter and the silhouette. For proper balance, do this in sections, working your way up from the bottom. Once the chain is added and adjusted to the silhouette, the negative space will start to take shape. Complete this until all nails have been wrapped.

Step 7

How to make string art in negative space How to make string art in negative space

Rustic Blank Photography, LLC

Add hardware and hang up

Use a drill to attach the picture hanging hardware to the back of the plywood.