I got the inspiration for my backlit pallet wall art from my love of pumpkin carving, of all things! I have always been a nut for woodworking, and I have been doing artwork with lettering and painting for a while. So, I decided to finally bridge them all together, and came up with these examples! I go out searching for my pallets, and really have fun dismantling them!
How I made my backlit pallet wall art:
First, I sand everything down to a very smooth finish. I dry-fit boards, paying attention to staggering the joints. I pre-design a support frame but don’t put it together just yet. Usually, I try to find boards with a lot of character and don’t mind hardware holes or splits. I’ll just clamp it together for the time being. When the cutouts are done, I’ll mount them together by installing them onto two vertical pieces of wood. Larger pieces may require larger frames, and sometimes gluing the joints too.
Then, it’s time to start sketching! I am inspired by many things, and when I get an idea, I just go for it. I cut out the design after I’m finally satisfied with the sketch and design. You can use a jigsaw or a bandsaw, or even a hand saw if you’re only making one small piece. Then I put it all back together, installing it with a nail gun, and start the painting pallets and/or staining them, depending on the look I’m going for.
Finishing touches:
After some detail work, you’ll end up with a 4’ tall or wide, one-of-a-kind piece of art. Sometimes I add lights, and then it becomes an entirely different piece of art at night. All of the lighting I install is battery powered and remote controlled with eight modes and a timer. You could use A/C lighting if you chose, too.
- HIGH PERFORMANCE ELECTRIC JIG SAW - 5 amp electric jig saw with a 3⁄4” blade orbital action for...
- CURVE CONTROL TECHNOLOGY - Four curve settings for maximum control over rounded cuts
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Where do you find your images that you use for each piece?
Do you sell these?
How do I buy one
How did you paint these with the turquoise colors? You should make a YouTube video showing the whole thing including the paint tutorial. These are great. I’m wondering how you made them so large? I’m thinking of making a headboard with the lighting and turquoise colors on pallet boards. Well done and simple. Awesome. Please do a video. Thanks
Mel Mullan Mooney would like the shark one??
Jedda Couch, David could make one of these
Lesley Manuel Kevin Manuel do u want one for your new place?
If you buy us one.
I get my pallet builder to build one ??
Yippee can’t wait but not too big I don’t know what wall space I have.
Ok. Leave it to us. Marlin,shark? Any preference or surprise? Any colour lights ( white or blue)
Snapper white lights
See what he can do ?
Do u sell these would like a sail fish or marlin a mermaid and a mahi mahi
Thanks
Again, please show a picture of the back for the installation of the lights! Thanks!
Great ideas – also curious how you attached the lights to the back. Thinking about doing what another suggested and building the two with a space between
The lights you can get from Amazon
do you sell these? i am interested if you do. thanks!
What do you use to hang these?
I’m to do a elk first time and I’m going to glue the pallet wood to two sheets of quarter inch plywood, one sheet horizontal and one vertical using titebond three glue. I will create a frame for the the panels with a space between them and mount the lights on the back panel. I’m using plywood because I can layout the elk design on it and that gives me a smooth surface to run the jigsaw on. Glue gust the back surface of the pallet wood and you won’t have to worry about squeeze out.
What kind of saw did you use for this? Want to try making one but I dont know what kind of saw to use especially for the curved parts.
Scroll saw and sometimes the jigsaw is what i use
Love what you have done here, it’s just amazing. Going to have to try my hand at doing one myself for my grandson, he loves anything to do with ocean life. May I ask where you get your led lighting at.
Amazon.com has all kinds of cheap LED lights. Thats where i get them
Love your work on these, there just amazing.. Going to try and do one myself for my grandson for his birthday, may I ask where did you get your led lighting from.
I’m surprised no one has mentioned the paint color.schemes and techniques you used. I’ve been doing similar pieces to these for a while now but usually do a layered distressed or ombre paint job.
I’M DYING TO KNOW HOW.YOU GOT THE.LOOK FOR THAT HOGAN PALLET.
Pretty work!
I meant the HOG one (darn autocorrect, lol)
Look up unicorn spit.
would you share with me how you install the lights please, looks amazing, thank you.
Sure would like to see how you installed the lights and what kind of lights you used. A little more detail would be helpful.
Could we see the back please? I’m surprised those boards didn’t come apart when you cut them? Thank you
If you use a good-quality wood glue, clamp and allow to dry, the glue line can be quite strong and stable. I do this technique all the time. It’s important to glue all of the surface, and not clamp it so tightly that all the glue ends up squeezing out, though. Happy Palleting! – HS.
Really like the sight !! Any and all out door patters , directions will be greatly appreciated!
i need a lion
Hello everyone and so sorry for the delay. I promise to be more active in our Pallet community. Thank you all for looking and liking my artwork. It really started as an overly obsessive hobby thats now a passion and from all that a business. I love doing these and would love to create a one of a kind artwork for you and your family. All of my works range between the $200-$300 price range and I can ship anywhere. Each piece is one of a kind due to the woods complexities so there can not be any duplicates. A… Read more »
Where can I get pricing in these??
Really Beautiful ! ! ! Where can I find the LIGHTS he used for backlighting?
Jipeg Gif au boulot ma poule
ahaha les palettes, une passion :) et le concept “backlight” j’ai deja fait :D l’alliance des deux ca claque :D
Ed De Lentes
Lucas Schwarz ?
Julien Boillon c pour toi !!
Je t en commande un lol
Lol bonne journée poto
Pareillement ;)
Regarde Richelle Dubuc! Quelques idées de plus!
These are nice! I need a striped bass
The artist does sell his work. :-D He also does custom orders.
I’ll try one first!
Cool. We’d love to see your creation when you make one! :-D – HS.