How To Create a Photo Block

Quote of the day:  “Wisdom is knowing what to do next, skill is knowing how to do it, and virtue is doing it.”  ~David Starr Jordan

Finished Photo Block

I’ve been teaching myself how to create a photo block easily and inexpensively.  Here is the technique I’ve settled on:

Here’s what you’ll need:

• A photo you can size to 6″ x 6″ (or size of wood or artists’ board you select)
• An Artists’ Board (I used a Blick Studio Artist Board 6″ x 6″ square and 1 1/2″ deep.)
• Wood sealer (I used Atelier Binder Medium from Blick)
• Adhesive (I used Atelier Binder Medium from Blick)
• Acrylic Paint (I used Golden Titanium White Fluid Acrylic)
• Small foam brush
• Rubber Brayer (I used Speedball 4″ Rubber Brayer)

Supplies for making photo block

Back of Artists' Board

Instructions for creating photo block

1. Seal the sides and back of the wood on the Artists’ Board by painting a thin coat of sealer on each side and back of the wood sides of the block.  Let dry.
2. Paint the sides and back of the Artists’ Board.  Let dry. Apply a second coat of paint.
3. Prepare photo and set image size to match the size of Artists’ Board.
4. Print image on Velvet Fine Art Paper (or desired matte photo paper)
5. Carefully cut blank margins off of image
6. Paint surface of Artists’ Board with adhesive (Atelier Binder Medium works great)
7. Carefully place image on the Artists’ Board with edges matching edges of board.  Use brayer to securely and smoothly adhere the image to the surface of the block.
8. If you want to, you can use small piece of fine sandpaper to thin the edges of the photo.
9. If desired, seal the top of the image with Atelier Binder Medium or a spray matte varnish.

That’s all there is to it.  You can set the block on any flat surface or hang it on the wall.

What do you think? Are you ready to go out and make one for yourself?

Angle View of Photo Block