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Fish-Art Fun

Brought to you by Lowe's Creative Ideas

Make a splash in a kid's room or nursery with this whimsical wall art.

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Fish Art

Project Overview

Skill Level

Beginner

Estimated Time

A few hours

Estimated Cost

$$$$$

Tools and Materials

Tools

  • Jigsaw with fine-tooth blade (12 or more teeth-per-inch)
  • Clamps
  • Circular saw, miter saw, or table saw
  • Tape measure
  • Sandpaper (120 through 180 grit)
  • Wood glue

Materials

  • 1 1/4"x2'x2' plywood (#6196)
  • 1 1"x4"x6' poplar (#1087) or pine
  • Valspar spray primer (#282324)
  • Valspar spray paint in your choice of colors
  • 1 package The Hillman Group small self-leveling picture hangers (#62958)

Items may be Special Order in some stores. Product costs, availability, and item numbers may vary online or by market. Paint colors may vary slightly from those shown. Availability varies by market for lumber species and sizes.

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Project Resources

Instructions

Step 1

Starting with a 2'x2' piece of ¼" birch plywood, cut a 15"x15" square. (Or have a Lowe's associate cut the panel to size in the store.) This will be used as the backer for the frame. Sand, prime, and paint the backer; then set it aside to dry. (We chose Valspar Exotic Sea (#331652), Pistachio Satin (#287422), and Mediterranean Gloss (#287419) paint colors for the three backers pictured.)

Step 2

Apply the fish template to a piece of 1"x4" poplar or pine, and cut out the shape with a jigsaw. Sand, prime, and paint the fish. (We used Valspar Satin La Fonda Copper (#331655) paint.)

Step 3

To frame the painted plywood backer using 1"x4" poplar or pine boards, cut top and bottom frame parts 16" long, and cut the sides 9" long. Glue and clamp the frame parts so the ends of the short pieces butt up against the inside edges of the long pieces; allow the glue to dry.
Good to Know

Because this frame will be painted, you can patch minor gaps using homemade wood putty. Squirt a small amount of glue into a disposable container such as a paper cup. Mix in sawdust left over from cutting your frame boards until it forms a paste. Using your finger, work the paste into the gaps until the surface feels smooth. Then sand your patch flush with the wood.

Step 4

Sand the surface and edges of the frame. Then paint the outside face and all edges (but not the back) and let the frame dry. (We painted the frame with Valspar Satin White (#28277).)

Step 5

Center the fish in the frame and glue in place. (Consider placing a large book or other heavy object on the fish after gluing to ensure it adheres to the backer.)

Step 6

Attach a picture-hanger centered along the top edge of the backer, then hang on the wall.