Bottle Caps Pop Art

Did you know more than 5.25 billion microplastics float in the ocean? (Plastic Oceans International https://plasticoceans.org) - Photo garbage plastic "The Guardian" newsletter.

Although there is a worldwide conscience and today human beings have begun to adhere to practices of separation by type of waste, there is still a lot to do.

Collectively, these changes will lead to a reduction in plastic pollution, regenerative communities and a healthier planet for many years to come.

In this instructable I wanted to add my two cents to reuse plastic to generate a piece of art.

I will explain in a simple way how you can make a wall painting yourself following the Pop Art style, using plastic caps from disused soda or soft drinks.

Join this project and enjoy it!

First of all watch the main video..very short with nice music :)

Let's get started...

- Plywood or MDF 9 mm or thicker.

- 70 Black plastic caps (*)

- 68 Green plastic caps (*)

- 84 Blue plastic caps (*)

- 13 Yellow plastic caps (*)

- 97 Orange plastic caps (*)

- 71 Red plastic caps (*)

- 15 Gray Red plastic caps (*)

- Matte black synthetic paint or spray paint.

- Brown craft paper.

- Glue or contact cement.

- Pla filament (black o white).

(*) There are hundreds of types of bottles, but in general the plastic caps are of the same dimensions (diameter 30 mm and height 14 mm). For this project I suggest that you choose the same brand of drink so that the color of the caps is uniform, trying to choose those that come without stamps on the top). Where to get them? Go to friends or family. You can also find a lot in bars, etc. When you get them, take care to wash them to remove traces of drink, sugar, etc.

If you are thinking about doing this project, I suggest you be patient and start only when you get all 418 caps :)

Tools:

- Metalic ruler.

- Metal square.

- Table saw.

- Thread or fishing line.

- Drill toothed Ø35 mm Forstner bit (Item optional. See TIP in step 2)

- 3D printer (Item optional. see TIP in step 2)

Safety kit:

- Work gloves
- Protection glasses.

- Ear protector.

I love “Contemporary Pop-Folk” illustration.

In “PIC NIC” book (Retina and Retinette author) it is excellently described: like everything created by authors of the golden age of the 60s and 70s in the US and Europe, the so-called Polish posterism and pop among others. In particular in Pop Art, the norms or rules of style do not exist.

That is its charm. It was born with the idea of breaking the conservative rules of interior design and decoration. It is a style that fills any room with light and vitality thanks to the excessive use of color.

The contrast of colors is not only an option, but rather a must in this style.

The goal is not to get to psychedelia but to create balanced combinations. The colors most used by Pop Art in decoration are: red, lilac, yellow, green, fuchsia, orange, pink and white.

The plastic caps that we will use have an external diameter of 30.1 mm (internal thread 28 mm) and a height of 14 mm. They should not have marks or stamps on the top (see my suggestions on how to get caps in the supplies´s notes).

I chose to make a human face. I looked for sketches models and existing styles on the web, and i found something i really liked:

"How to Draw an Abstract Face" for Kathy Barbro "Art projects for kids"

https://artprojectsforkids.org/abstract-face-tutor...

The image will be represented in a grid 11 columns wide by 38 rows high, giving a total of 418 individual caps.

To design I used the ADOBE ILUSTRATOR software, for which first of all I accurately represented the matrix of caps (empty) and then I was creating the image by painting each of the stages in colors, and following the rules of "art with pixels in this case circulars" (As if it were also a matrix of circular LEDs).

I was doing many tests (see photo), playing with the contrast of the colors, until I found the final design (I selected the model named A3), which I attach.

We will glue the caps that make up the work on a 400 mm wide x 1220 mm high and 9 mm thick plywood.

NOTE: you can download in this link the ADOBE ILUSTRATOR files and JPG format.

https://1drv.ms/u/s!AoZa4oXuD3mOgpJw37-eRux6vbx7rA...

The wood is cut to its final dimensions, using a circular bench saw, which allows the cuts to be perfectly straight.

Once the wood is cut, the edges are sanded to remove imperfections, etc.

To hang the painting on the wall, I have designed a 35 mm diameter 3d printed a heyhole hanger(*)

With the help of a Drill toothed Ø35 mm fortnest bit, make a hole with depth 2 mm (*)

Then make a hole in the triangle area of the plastic piece as shown in the figure (*)

Print the keyhole hanger and put in the carving position and ensure that the plastic piece is secure to the wood with self-drilling screws (*)

After painting (see next step), on the back of wooden painted, glue a brown craft paper (1220 mm x 405 mm) to protect the wood from the risk of humidity (see photo)

(*) TIP: Alternatively you can hang the painting in another way (without the need for the 3d printer and fortnest bit). There are a variety of keyhole hangers, most of them metal, that can be obtained and glued to wood with epoxy cement. The traditional cable system can also be used (see photos).

In this step, we will paint one of the faces of the wood using black synthetic paint for brush application or, spray paint:

- In both cases I suggest that the paint finish be matte.

- In case of spraying, follow manufacturer's instructions: shake before use and spray distance.

- Apply the number of coats necessary so that the wood is 100% black.

- Let it dry between coats, and if necessary sand off imperfections or excess paint, drops, etc.

With the help of a thread, string or fishing line, mark the dimensions of an interior rectangle located 35 mm from each side of the exterior perimeter of the wood. Firmly fasten the thread to the back of the wood:

- The caps should be glued in accordance with the attached graphic scheme, which I suggest printing in color in A4 size to have on the side while doing this activity.

- Place a little glue on a plastic surface.

- To secure the caps to the base wood, I applied around the perimeter of the cap thread circumference with the help of a brushand and then press the cap onto the wood firmly to allow it to adhere.

- I suggest starting from the top down, completing the first rows, and then completing the first column (see diagrams).

- Then complete the rows from top to bottom, from left to right.

- As you complete this task, you will see the image come to life. It will be worth it at the end of the job to have glued 418 caps :)

Now is the time to fix it to the wall and enjoy the finished work.

- The place of the house to install the work is important. The observers' place should be at a distance greater than 3/4 m so that you can best appreciate the design.

- Choose a wall in your house to install it.

- In my case I made a hole in the wall and installed a fisher wall plug S5 (choose the right model for your type of wall).

- Then I put in a 2.5mm self drilling screw.

- I have included many photos of the artwork located in different locations.

- Notice that on some walls I have directly supported the painting on top of some object.

- You will see that the design is modern and looks great in different environments.

That's all for this project!

We have created POP ART with a very low cost !!

If you like it, be sure to create another similar model with another design of your choice and hang it in pairs.

I hope you enjoyed this instructable as much as I have enjoyed it.

If you have any question ask them in the comments below!

I would also love to hear what you think about the project.

Happy making!

cfb70

PS1: if you like the project, please vote for this and choose it as a favorite == THANKS ==

PS2/Credits: Created by rawpixel.com - www.freepik.es

PS3/Credits Music: "Moon And Star" by Wintergatan - www.wintergatan.net