Easy Wall Art Ideas | Chapter Ten: Ombre Torn Paper

This is the final chapter in the Easy Wall Art Ideas series! And I’m finishing it up with one of my favorite design trends. The ombre trend has been sticking around for a while now and it shows up everywhere – in artwork, clothing, home decor and even hair color! It’s such a pretty visual so I found a way to create a little ombre art that was oh-so-easy.

Ombre is actually a French term meaning shaded. And it’s described as the gradual blending of one color to another, usually from light to dark. I thought all those beautiful scrapbook papers would be the perfect solution to create this ombre project.

Here’s what you’ll need to make your ombre torn paper art:

• Scrapbook papers – I used a total of 6 pieces. You can get them at any art supply store like Michael’s. And they’re usually under $1 each.

• Frame – since the papers are 12″ x 12″ I went with a plexi glass frame (won’t shatter!) that was 12″ x 18″.

• Background paper to fit your frame. You can use the insert paper that comes with the frame as long as any printing won’t show through.

• Super 77 Spray Adhesive

Here are the super-easy instructions:

First, when selecting your scrapbook papers, you’ll need to find colors and patterns that are in the same color hue but gradually get darker. Most of the papers I chose had different patterns and finishes and I think this made the piece a little more interesting. One had a metallic finish and another had a wrinkled texture. They weren’t just a flat gradation of colors.

Once you have your papers in the order from light to dark, Take the lightest – or top sheet – and attach it to the top of the background paper using the spray adhesive. This adhesive is awesome – but the papers will stick immediately and permanently!

Now it’s time to tear your remaining papers! This is really easy to do and it doesn’t need to be perfect or exactly straight. The only tip I have is to tear the part of the paper that will be discarded AWAY from you or BEHIND the part of the paper that you will be using. This way the torn white edge won’t appear on the final pieces – only on the discarded pieces. Having the white edges if fine too but it looks cleaner without them and the ombre, or color gradation, wouldn’t be interrupted by the white lines.

Once you have that second paper torn, attach it to your art too with the torn side at the top, leaving some space so you can see the first sheet.

I had originally planned on placing each sheet of torn paper equal distances apart but then it looked a little too boring to me. So I just placed each torn paper in different distances from each other as the gradation went down. This made the arrangement a little more interesting and unexpected.

Repeat tearing the papers and attaching them to your art until it’s complete. Be sure to keep the torn edges at the top.

When complete, trim the bottom edge and sides too, if needed, so your art will fit in the frame. Add your frame and hang it as you’d like – or lean it on a shelf. I love how this piece looks a little like water or the ocean.

Now you have ombre torn paper art that probably cost you under $15. It’s cool, unique and trendy – and you created it. Well done!

Whew – ten chapters of Easy Wall Art Ideas are complete!! I hope you’ve enjoyed this series and maybe tried a few of these projects – or plan to soon. But it’s not over! I’ve taken all these ideas, added a few more, and I’ve created an easy-to-follow booklet for you. And it’s FREE! Check out my post on Friday – the link will be there so you can print out this booklet and have all these easy, fun, creative ideas in front of you when you’re ready to create. It’s a great reference tool with full instructions, links and photos. And as always, please send along your comments. Did you try any of these projects? Do you plan to? Would you want to do these in a class forum? Do they look easy? Difficult? And are they worthwhile? I’d love to hear from you!

Have a wonderful week – be sure to check back on Friday for your goodies!