Turn a brick into a cool book that you can use as a bookend,
paperweight or just a conversation piece.
Brick books make great gifts if you paint them to resemble the recipient’s
favorite book. The the step-by-step instructions are easy enough for almost
anyone. All you need is some acrylic
paint, paint markers and little bit of time.
Remember Father’s Day is right around the corner and this makes a great
gift for the hard to buy for Dad!
Supplies:
Brick
Fine Sandpaper
Acrylic paint, black, beige, brown, and blue
Paint markers, gold metallic, blue
Chalk pencil
Ruler
Medium paintbrush
Liner paintbrush
Newspaper to protect your work surface
Paper plate for paint palette
1.
Protect your work surface with newspaper. Use fine sandpaper (220) to sand any rough
edges on the brick.
2.
Using the medium paintbrush apply a coat of
black acrylic paint on the front, back and one side of the brick. (This is the cover, back and spine of the
book) Let dry.
3.
Paint all the other sides with beige acrylic
paint. While the paint is still wet use
a liner brush to add brown lines. (See
photo) Let the paint dry.
4.
Use a ruler and chalk pencil to draw lines
starting at the top of the spine as follows:
¼”, ½”, ¾”, 1 ½”, ½”, 1 ½”, ½”, 1”, ¾”, ½” (See photo)
5.
In the first 1 ½” section use a paintbrush and
the blue acrylic paint to fill it in.
Let dry. Use the gold paint pen
to add the title of the book.
6.
Use the ruler and draw over all the chalk lines
with the gold paint pen.
7.
In the second 1 ½” section use the chalk pencil
to draw leaves on vines. If you don’t
like the way it’s coming out use a damp cloth to erase it and start over. When you have the leaves the way you like,
fill them in with the blue paint pen.
8.
In the first ¾ ” section make triangles across
with the blue paint pen and fill in dots in the open areas with the gold pen. (Optional) If
you choose this optional step you can also repeat it at the bottom ¾” section.
9.
Use the gold paint pen to add the author’s name
in the 1” section. Let all the paint
dry.
10. Turn
the book to the cover area. Using the
chalk pencil draw the title of the book at a downward angle. Fill in the title
with the gold paint pen. Use the chalk
pencil to draw leaves on vines in the open area, then outline and fill in with
the blue paint pen as you did on the spine.
Use a ruler to draw all around the edges of the book with the gold paint
pen. Add the author’s name at the bottom left with the gold pen. Let
all the paint dry.
Make all your favorite books...
