This American eagle is made entirely from foam board! Painted with thin paint it looks like wood. It’s a wonderful piece of artwork to display during the 4th of July or any time for that matter. We’ve got free variations of patterns below!

For another simple patriotic decor idea make our Americana Decor from Craft Sticks. 

American Eagle Art Supplies

• 2 pieces of  large good quality foam board (Cheaper foam board such as the kind from Dollar stores doesn’t paint well.)
• Glue gun
• Utility detail knife
• Paint
• Pattern download
• Soda can tabs for hanging

Download

pdf

 

Instructions

Trace the pattern onto the foam board.

Carefully cut out the foam board eagle making smooth edges. Touch up if needed. Cut a backing board 14″ x 17 3/4″ (Double check everyting fits correctly before cutting.)

Cut out the overlayed frame section. 13″ x 6 3/4″ outer edge with a 1″ depth.

This is how things will layer.

Using a watered down brown paint, make long brush strokes up and down the backing board. The white board will show through your strokes.

DO NOT have too much liquid on the brush as it will bubble the paper. You want enough paint on the brush  to do two or three strokes, then dab your brush in the paint and continue on.

Paint the overlaid frame red.

After the paint dries glue your overlaid frame onto the backing board.

There will be about a 1/4″ border around the edge.

You can trace your bird design onto the cut out eagle if desired for easier painting.

Using watered down paint, though not too much on the brush as once, paint your eagle.

Remember to paint the edges.

Once the eagle has dried hot glue it into the center of the foam plaque.

Because of how light the plaque is, soda can tabs are a wonderful way to hang it up.

Glue the tab onto the back of your plaque.

It’s ready to hang!