Creating a painting that sparkles with glitter is a great way to add dimension to an ordinary acrylic painting and to boost creativity. You can make a shiny painting without using glue. Just follow a few basic steps and be patient while waiting for each coat of glitter and paint to dry before proceeding. If you want to know how to make a sparkling painting, read the following steps.
Step
Step 1. Buy a new canvas
You can start with a 20x25 cm canvas for practice. Choose a canvas that has been set on a wooden frame, gallery-style, meaning the canvas is stapled to the back of the frame, not to the front. Also make sure the canvas is a stretchable type.
Step 2. Sprinkle glitter on the canvas
To do this, you'll need a thick acrylic brush to cover the entire canvas with one solid color. Acrylic paint dries quickly, so keep it wet by spraying water on it, or by mixing a small amount of water with the paint. After you have coated the canvas with acrylic paint, carefully sprinkle the glitter over the canvas so that it hardens along with the paint. Glitter will stick if the paint is not too wet and not too dry.
- You can sprinkle the glitter with a sieve or by scooping and then spreading it carefully over the paint.
- You can also paint one part with acrylic paint and then add glitter, then continue painting and sprinkling glitter on the other part. This will allow the glitter to spread more evenly.
- When you're done adding the layer of glitter, roll the pencil horizontally over the painting to even out the surface, then shake it to brush off any excess glitter onto a sheet of paper.
- Wait 24 hours for the glitter to dry before moving on to the next step.
Step 3. Draw the outline
Once the glitter is dry, use a brush to paint the outline of the object on the surface covered with dried glitter. Choose an acrylic paint color that contrasts with the background, rather than one that matches.
Step 4. Paint the background of the image
Darken the background outside the image, so that only the inside of the image is still covered by glitter.
Step 5. Add a layer of glitter to fill the inside of the image
Paint the glitter-covered interior of the image with acrylic paint. Draw any image you like using a small or large brush to create a pattern. You can paint circles to add to the face image, or create an entirely new image.
Step 6. Add a second layer of glitter to fill the inside of the image
Once the first coat has dried, paint over equal parts with acrylic paint, this time using a different paint color. You can also slightly wet the painting to create a younger, less solid look.
Step 7. Dab on top of the first layer of glitter
Once these two layers of glitter have dried, use a solid color to paint over the entire first layer of glitter. You can still see the glitter peeking and flickering underneath, but the glitter should be completely covered in paint.
Step 8. Define the outline
Paint on the inside of the image studded with glitter to add a bolder contrast. Use black paint with a thin brush to do this. You see, the subject's eyes become more defined with that little emphasis.
Step 9. Dry the painting in the sun
Dry the painting for a few hours to dry. Since you didn't add a new layer of glitter, there's no need to wait 24 hours.
Step 10. Add more layers of glitter
For a final touch, repeat the process of adding glitter to the background of the painting. Choose a new glitter color, this time to add dimension to the painting. Sprinkle glitter on all or part of the background to create a new image, like adding hair to this face image. After 24 hours, rub or shake the painting to remove excess glitter.
Tips
- Draw a simple design, details will follow later.
- Allow the glitter coat and all the paint to dry for 24 hours before adding another coat.
- Use acrylic paint. This paint will dry quickly and the glitter will also harden into the painting.
- You can always add more glitter later, so feel free to cover the image with it.
