Step 1: Figure out where you would like to put your DIY world map and how many pieces of canvas you would like to use.
Step 2: Buy cheap canvas here or by searching the web for the style and price you want. I got 18" by 24" for my project.
Step 3: Decide on the color. I chose a classic black and white and love how it turned out! But really any color will do. I bought my paint here but of course it wasn't white, it was black. For some reason black only shows up in the smaller amount online. I didn't use the full 8 ounces but I am sure I will find ways to use the rest of it. You could buy 2 or 3 smaller ones and save money if you wish.
Step 4: Get yourselves some variety pack paintbrushes. Any kind will do. I got a small fine tip type brush to outline the maps, and then bigger brushes for filling in. Pretty straight forward.
Step 5: Find a picture you want to copy. My must haves were that it had to include Cape Verde and Fiji and every other island possible. We can't forget the little guys, they are important, too. And I wanted to make sure it would fit across 3 pieces of canvas. This is the picture I "copied." I used this one because of the grid in the background. I also scrolled through the different pictures on this website and took the bulk of my project from the picture that isn't split into 3. I didn't like that this particular 3 piece canvas map had South America on two different pieces.
Step 6: Use a tape measure or ruler to lightly pencil a grid onto each canvas. Sometimes I only drew the grid when things were especially tricky. And I didn't draw it in places that I knew I wouldn't need the guidance. For instance, to the left of South America and under North America. My first canvas grid matched the etsy shop grid perfectly and then the last two I had to do a slightly different measurement getting a bit bigger each time. The horizontal lines are all the exact same measurement, it's the vertical lines that get a tiny bit bigger over each canvas. Just be sure to remember that, especially if you end up using the 18" by 24" like I did.
Step 7: You know how they have those grids in coloring books that make you look like a better artist than you really are? That's the exact same idea here! Just go to town with your pencil (and eraser) sketching the world onto a blank canvas. It's so enjoyable! Even more so if you pair it with company, Netflix, music, Ted Talk, General Conference, etc. This part takes the longest. It took me nearly 3 weeks of half-heartedly working on it during nap time. The important part is to have fun and be creative!
Step 8: Trace over your sketch with paint! Save yourself some time and fill in the islands and little crevasses with the little brush as you trace otherwise you'll have to do that later when you're filling in with the bigger paintbrush.
Step 9: Fill it in. I debated for a while on filling it in or leaving it outlined. I love what I decided on. I also love the etsy shop look from the original link above.
Step 10: Hang it up in your beautiful space. Take a picture and share it with us! And now enjoy seeing something you created.
Let me know what questions you have. I tried to leave a lot of freedom and creativity up to you, so just let loose and be you.
