Incredibly Easy Abstract Art Using a VHS Tape

Hi,

In this instructable I am going to show you how to make some incredibly easy abstract art

The hardest part will be finding an old VHS video ;)

Seriously, do this with young people and have fun explaing what a VHS tape is.

You will need.....

Various colours of spray paint, especially contrasting colours

A canvas (or anything flat really)

A VHS video (or alternativly ribbon or an old cassette tape)

Additional but not necessary

Masking Tape

Small cross head screw driver

Rubber gloves (it can get a bit messy)

How you do this is up to you.

You can use the screw driver and take it a part or just snap it. All you need is the tape inside.

Dont try to just yank the tape out though, it will just stretch and break.

Give your canvas a base coat of spray paint. This can be a solid colour or a few colours. (i forgot to take a photo of the base coat but I went with a pink fading into purple)

Once you have appled the base coat let it dry for a bit. This is the tricky bit because ideally you want the base coat to be tacky but not so sticky that you run the risk of it attaching to the tape and peeling of at a later stage)

Once it has reached a tacky stage take a large bundle of the tape and lay it on the canvas. feel free to play about with it as you dont wat it all flat on the canvas

Now spray your contrasting colour over the top of everything. Becarefull when spraying, you will want to start by spraying directly down on to the canvas rather from the side as this will just blow away your tape. Nice light sprays are the key from en elevated angle.

Once you are happy with the coverage peel off the tape. A hand hint for this is to just take the whole canvas and flip it so that the tape falls away from it.

You can also achieve a similar effect from using ribbon or an old cassette tape.

or masking tape off the edges to give you a border.

And just like that you have made a nice piece of abstract art.

Feel free to experiment with different colours or perhaps using a mixture of tapes/ribbons.

I hope you have enjoyed this instructable and as always comments, thoughts and photos of your own VHS tape Creations are welcome :)