Unbelievably Easy Ghost Painting On Thrifted Prints

With this easy DIY tutorial, you can create a simple ghost painting on a thrifted canvas or print. Unique Halloween decorations for this spooky season! But I keep it PG for the grandkids.

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Easy Halloween Thrifted Ghost Painting

Last year, I jumped on the ghost painting trend using old thrift store paintings, and boy, did it get a lot of attention on Pinterest and TikTok. If you want to read the blog post and see how it turned out, CLICK HERE. It was so good, if I say so myself.

So, this year, I’ve been again on the hunt for the perfect canvas or print with a landscape on which to paint my cute ghost creations. 

While visiting a friend in Mechanicsville, PA, and doing some thrift shopping together (fun girl time), I came across what I think will be the perfect addition to my Halloween decor. Oh my goodness! It’s scenery with horses in the background—farmhouse Halloween! LOL, it couldn’t be more perfect. 

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• Thrifted Ghost Painting

Supplies Needed For The Project:

• thrifted scenery print or canvas
• Cotton (white) Chalk Mineral Paint or acrylic paint
• Caviar (black) Chalk Mineral Paint 
• paper towels
• paper plate
• disposable bowl
• artist paintbrushes

Where To Find An Inexpensive Painting 

Here is what I learned while searching for these paintings that I thought you might like to know.

While I found the search for the perfect painting fun, I am not one to spend more than $10 if I can help it. I’m sure I spent more than that on gas, but it’s the principle of the thing. I’m cheap! 

1. Start with social media if you don’t want to spend all your gas money driving all over town. Facebook marketplace usually has a lot of old artwork to choose from, but be sure to avoid painting over something that could be valuable. Do your homework!  

2. Try your local thrift store. It’s always hit or miss with mine. I have found that the prices of thrifted art go up significantly this time of year due to the ghost painting trend.

3. The dollar stores! I have seen many inexpensive home decor wall art pieces that would work great for a haunted masterpiece. 

4. Ask a friend or family member. You might snag one for free, sitting in their attic collecting dust.

STEP 1: Preparing The Canvas For Painting

To get started, remove the old artwork from the frame, carefully removing the picture framing glass. Some of the older pieces tend to get stuck to the glass over time. Inspect the artwork for damage that you might need to touch up. 

Fortunately for me, mine is plexiglass.

This painting method works with most prints and canvas paintings.

STEP 2: Consider Painting The Background

Because I wanted a darker background for my ghost painting, I created a wash with chalk mineral paint and water.

It’s super simple! Add a few drops of water-based paint to a disposable bowl and add enough water until you get colored water. Use an artist’s brush to wash over the background (or the entire painting) until you get your desired look. 

I used a mixture of caviar (black) and cotton (white) to make a dark gray for the sky. Don’t be afraid to use swirling movements with your brush to create a cloudy look. Apply a send coat if the first wash layer isn’t dark enough after it dries. Dig deep for your inner artist and have fun. That’s the most important part of creativity.

STEP 3: Creating The Ghost Figure

This technique is very elementary. There are no faces or details, just a transparent outline of a ghost.

First, outline the ghost using watered-down white paint. Use your imagination. No two ghost characters are alike; I’m sure of that.  

Once you have the outline, use white and black to create gray paint, blending the two colors as you paint. This helps to give your ghost shading in areas that resemble transparency and depth. 

If you have trees in your thrifted art, paint one peeping out from behind it for added interest. 

STEP 4: Adding Details To Your Ghost Painting

After stepping back for inspection, I decided that my little ghosties weren’t enough, so I opted to add a few bats flying around.

Using a fine-tipped artist’s brush and black paint, I carefully added the bats. What’s a night sky without bats? 

What would you add to your ghost painting? Perhaps a full moon? 

The Results Of My DIY Easy Ghost Painting

Before I show you how I styled my Halloween art project, you have to laugh with me because maybe you do this, too.

I go from room to room, looking for the perfect spot for my DIY home decor. My hubby laughs at me, but he knows my heart. I live for decorating.

I started in my upstairs guest room, which I enjoy decorating—not just the grandkids. This smaller print is perfect for the bedside table in my spookalicious guest room. 

Halloween Farmhouse style! 

The next stop was the kitchen. My kitchen island is already decorated with wooden spoon ghosts, following the theme. It’s cute, but it’s a no for me. 

My Halloween Office

Well, after careful consideration, it finally landed in my office. I’m sure I’ll take it back to the guest room before my guests arrive, but I get to enjoy it while I work.

What was your favorite spot?

Now that I think about it, I should have tried it on my mantel. Good grief! My brain never stops.

I hope you enjoyed this fun and thrifty project. So, why not give an old painting or print a new life? I’m all about repurposing. Just be sure that you aren’t painting ghosts over a valuable piece. That’s a scary thought. A little Halloween humor there. 🙂

Thanks for stopping by. In the comment section below, let me know what you think about this ghostly idea, or say hi so I know you’re here. Have a great week!

Until the next project… xo, Do