Home >> Hobbies >> Photography

How to Make Painted Muslin Photographer's Backdrops

Backdrops allow a photographer to customize the background of a photograph to the subject. They also permit photographers to shoot photographs indoors, which allows them to control the light. Backdrops can be of an outdoors scene, such as a farm or cityscape, or they can be a solid color. Professional backdrop painters use flame retardant paint to paint muslin or canvas. Muslin is cheaper than canvas and is easier for beginners to work with. Purchase all of the items you'll need at an art supply store and hardware store.

Things You'll Need

Flame retardant muslin
Staple gun
Wooden frame
Scenic paint
Water
Pencil
Scenic sealant

Instructions

- 1
  Stretch the muslin across a wooden frame and staple it tightly.
- 2
  Water down 3 cups of white scenic paint with 1 cup of water.
- 3
  Paint the entire surface of the muslin with the watered down scenic paint. This will seal the muslin and prepare it to be painted. Paint will dry on the surface of sealed muslin but it would soak through unsealed muslin.
- 4
  Draw the outline of the photographer's backdrop with a pencil.
- 5
  Paint the backdrop with scenic paint using a variety of sizes of paintbrushes. Paint the top of the photographer's backdrop before painting the bottom to avoid drips. Properly layer the paint by painting the background before the foreground. Allow the paint to dry completely. Do not apply thick layers of scenic paint, because it will crack when the paint dries.
- 6
  Allow the paint to dry completely for several hours or according to the paint manufacturer's instructions.
- 7
  Brush the entire surface of the painter's backdrop with scenic sealant. Allow the sealant to dry completely.
- 8
  Remove the muslin from the wooden frame and attach it to a wall in a photo studio or lay the wooden frame against a wall.

Photography