Most artists who are selling their art will at some point need to photograph it. I recently started selling prints and felt that I was not satisfied with the photos of them due to the background options. I decided to create some wood panels that can be used to stage photos! The ones I created are quite versatile and can be used for more than just photographing artwork, they could be used for food photography, or other products or be used in a still-life. What I used results in two double sided wooden backdrops.
My supplies:
1 Package of Reversible Pine Wainscot (12 Slats)
2 1-inch x 4-Foot Boards
Clamps
Wood Glue
Stain
Paint
Split the package into two sections of 6 boards each, examine each one so you can get a good variety of wood grain. Use wood glue to glue the boards together, be sure not to use too much, or wipe off any excess so It does not show up in the stain later.
Clamp the glued boards together and let dry. Do this with both sections of 6 boards. Be careful when moving them as they will seem a bit flimsy.
Measure across the 6 boards and use this measurement to cut the thin boards. Add a strip across the top and bottom of the backside (non-grooved side) of the boards. Do this for both panels.
Once dry you will have 2 fully functional boards! You can stain or paint them to the desired shade, you can make all the sides different or similar. I used a dark stain, on one side I let it soak in for a long time and the other I wiped it off right away. I have not chosen what I will be doing for the other sides of the panels but will probably paint them and distress them.
The panels can then be propped up and photographed. I used both in the photo below!
