DIY Halloween Wall Art: How to Make Spooky Portrait Art
Last Updated on July 20, 2026 by lindseymahoney
Looking for an easy DIY Halloween wall art idea? This spooky portrait art project transforms a thrifted picture frame and a printed image into unique Halloween decor for about $20.
I love Halloween decorations that feel more like vintage home decor than inexpensive seasonal knick-knacks, and this project is one of my favorite ways to create a classy haunted-house look. The finished artwork looks right at home on a Halloween mantel, bookshelf, or gallery wall.
DIY Halloween Wall Art Overview
- Project type: Halloween wall decor
- Estimated cost: About $20-$30
- Time needed: 1–2 hours, plus drying time
- Skill level: Beginner
- Best for: Thrifted frames and downloadable artwork
Project Materials
- Picture Frame (thrifted)
- Spooky artwork digital download
- Foam board
- X-acto knife or utility knife
- Spray Adhesive (owned)
- Mod Podge (optional)
- Spray paint (optional)
How to Make Halloween Wall Art
To make this DIY Halloween wall art, start with a thrifted picture frame and spooky artwork sized to fit. Print the artwork, mount it to foam board, and add optional details like black spray paint and Mod Podge to give the piece an aged, vintage look. Once assembled, the finished artwork can be displayed on a mantel, shelf, or gallery wall.
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1 | Find a Thrifted Picture Frame
First, you will want to find a picture frame for this project. Check out a local thrift store or estate sale to find an old picture frame perfect for this Halloween project.
You can certainly use a new picture frame for this DIY as well, but I think old ornate frames add character to the spooky art.
A friend was cleaning out the attic of her historic home and offered old picture frames that she was going to throw out.
I can never pass up a good deal so I quickly took them off of her hands! One of those frames is perfect for a spooky portrait picture with its ornate details and oval matting.
2 | Choose your Halloween Artwork
The picture frame you choose for this project will determine the size of the photo needed. My frame holds a 16x20 photograph.
There are many places to find spooky portraits to use for this Halloween art project. My favorite place to find downloadable artwork is on Etsy. They offer a variety of artwork in the digital download format for less than $10!
I chose my image with kids of all ages in mind, meaning, it isn't too scary! You can find some really scary portraits that older kids and adults would appreciate, but I know my 7 year old would not be a fan of!
The National Gallery of Art offers free downloads in their Open Access Images section, which is another great place to find unique images.
If you don't want to create your own Halloween artwork, you can also purchase a spooky digital download and have it printed to fit your frame.
3 | Print the Artwork
Once I purchased Halloween artwork download I ordered the print of the image through Walmart. If you do not purchase the image on foam board, you can easily glue the print to a separate foam posterboard.
Once the witch print was attached I used a utility knife (an x-acto knife works too) to remove the excess foam board around the print.
4 | Paint the Picture Frame
The old picture frame is in rough shape, so I decided to use black spray paint to give it a spooky look. Whenever you use spray paint, I highly recommend these projects be tackled outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. I worked on this project on a drop cloth in our backyard.
First, I cleaned the frame and removed dust and gunk from the surface.
Next, using Rust-Oleum spray paint, I applied the black paint around the entire frame.
With these types of art projects, the paint coverage doesn't have to be perfect. The imperfections are an easy and creative way to make the Halloween artwork look like an old print or painting that has been lost in a basement for years.
5 | Apply Mod Podge to the Print
Applying Mod Modge to the Halloween print will give the illusion of an old painting. This is a fun way to add to the spooky factor so it looks like old artwork. I prefer the matte sheen and use a craft brush to apply it directly onto the posterboard.
This faux painting application looks best on art prints that look like it is a painting and the Mod Podge brush strokes give it a more realistic look. It goes on milky and dries clear.
Last year I worked on a similar DIY project and applied this technique to a Christmas print. This extra detail added so much character to the Christmas artwork I displayed on our mantel.
6 | Assemble the Artwork
The vintage picture frame I am using no longer has the proper backing and there are a few ways to secure the artwork.
Hot glue or double-sided tape are quick options to secure the posterboard to the back of the frame. For this frame, I used brad nails to secure a poster board to the back of an open frame.
I recommend using the most appropriate backing based on the frame you use for this project.
DIY Halloween Wall Art Reveal
This may be one of my favorite Halloween projects to date! The fireplace mantel in our family room is the perfect place to display the DIY Halloween art portrait.
For about $20 I have a unique Halloween wall decor that was an instant hit with the family!
Happy Halloween crafting!
Where to Display DIY Halloween Wall Art
- Above a Halloween mantel
- On a gallery wall
- On a bookshelf
- In an entryway
- On a console table
- As part of a vintage Halloween display
