How to Paint an Acrylic Galaxy on Wood

Hey everyone, Katie here! With the start of the new year, it is the perfect time to try a new technique. I wanted to share with you one of my favorites- painting galaxies/night scenes! This is a really fun technique, and after painting it on wood you have a lovely piece of art to hang on your wall!

 

Supplies:

• A wood base, I used the Medallion Thin Plaques and a Scallop Serving Board.
• Black Gesso
• Acrylic Paints- recommend colors are black, navy, aqua, light pink, magenta, white
• Paint Brush
• Painting Sponge
• Tooth Brush

1. Start by giving the Medallion Plaque a coat of black gesso, let dry.

 

2. Add drops of each color of paint onto a palette.

3.  Use a painting sponge to apply the light pink and magenta onto the plaque you just want a couple of swirly lines.

4. Repeat step 3. with light blue and navy paint, applying it next to the magenta.

5. Use the sponge to lightly blend your colors together and smooth off the edges.

6.  Add black paint to your sponge and blend the outer edges of the swirls.

7. Dip a tooth brush into a bit of white paint, and run your finger along the bristles to flick tiny paint drips/stars onto the painting.

Another fun technique is to create a night sky scene with a silhouette in front of it!

1. Starting with black gesso, add a lighter color to the center of the plaque and blend the edges out into the black. You want more color on the plaque then black.
2. Add the stars.
3. Use black paint and a #2 paint brush to paint on a silhouette in front of your galaxy sky. I chose to paint a tree silhouette.

I loved the shape of the new Scallop Serving Board and just had to paint a galaxy silhouette on it as well!

Have you tried any new techniques lately? I would definitely recommend painting as a fun technique to learn, and starting with something like a galaxy is an easy way to do it!

Bio: Katie is a 24 yr old artist currently living in the Pacific Northwest. She is a lover of everything crafty and is the girl behind the blog Punk Projects, where she posts scrapbook layouts, art journal pages, tutorials and all sorts of artsy things.