Easy Thrifted Ghost Painting DIY | TikTok Trend

Last Updated on August 23, 2024 by lindseymahoney

Halloween is the perfect time to get creative with your decorations, and the latest TikTok trend has sparked a fun and easy way to add a spooky touch to your home. This DIY thrifted ghost painting trend allows you to transform a forgotten piece of art into a one-of-a-kind, haunted masterpiece.

Add spooky ghosts to a thrifted painting with this easy and affordable DIY!

Thrift Store Ghost Painting DIY – TikTok Trend
1 | Find the Perfect Thrift Store Painting
2 | Prepare Your Workspace
3 | Sketch the Ghost and Creepy Details
4 | Paint the Ghost
5 | Add the Details
6 | Final Touches and Sealing (Optional)
DIY Thrifted Ghost Painting | REVEAL
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Here’s a step-by-step tutorial on how to create your own artwork with a ghostly twist.

Thrift Store Ghost Painting DIY – TikTok Trend

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Materials You’ll Need

An inexpensive painting or print (choose one with a landscape, portrait, or scene)
White acrylic paint
Black acrylic paint
Small and medium-sized paintbrushes
Palette or paper plate for mixing paints
A cup of water for rinsing brushes
Paper towels or a rag
Optional: Matte varnish or sealant to protect the finished piece

1 | Find the Perfect Thrift Store Painting

Start by heading to your local thrift store to find a suitable painting or print. Look for a piece that has a good amount of space for your ghost, such as landscapes, vintage portraits, or pastoral scenes.

The more old-fashioned or moody the painting, the better it will complement the spooky ghost you’ll be adding. Other places to find an old print or painting is at estate sales, Facebook Marketplace, or a garage sale.

I found a small landscape painting at a local Salvation Army for less than $10. This was the perfect size to try out a fun seasonal trend at an affordable price.

2 | Prepare Your Workspace

Once you’ve found your painting, set up your workspace. Lay down some newspaper or an old tablecloth to protect your surface. Make sure you have all your materials within reach before you start painting.

3 | Sketch the Ghost and Creepy Details

Before you start painting, take a moment to plan where you want to place the ghost. Lightly sketch the ghost’s outline onto the painting using a pencil.

Ghosts are typically simple shapes—think of a u shape top with a flowing bottom, like a sheet blowing in the wind. You can also sketch a small ghost family or multiple cute ghosts for a more intricate design.

4 | Paint the Ghost

Using your paintbrush, fill in the ghost shape with white acrylic paint. You may need to apply two or more coats to ensure the paint is opaque and covers the background completely. Allow the paint to dry between coats to avoid smudging.

For a more ethereal look, you can feather out the edges of the ghost by lightly brushing out the paint while it’s still wet. This will create a soft, wispy effect.

5 | Add the Details

Once the white paint is completely dry, it’s time to give your ghost some personality. Use a small paintbrush and black acrylic paint to add eyes and a mouth. You can opt for classic round eyes and an “O”-shaped mouth, or get creative with different expressions—happy, sad, or even mischievous!

If you want to add extra details, consider painting a little hat, bow, or even a small pumpkin in the ghost’s hands. If you want to customize your thrifted art piece even more, consider adding a black cat or bats in the sky using black paint. I added a full moon and mixed together black and white paint to make gray clouds in the sky.

The last step I took was adding some black paint to the shiny gold frame to create a more aged look. Rub n’ Buff is a great tool for this as well. These spooky elements can make your ghost art unique and add to the charm of your Halloween decor.

6 | Final Touches and Sealing (Optional)

After your ghost is complete and the paint is dry, take a step back and assess your work. If you’re happy with the result, you can stop here. However, if you’d like to give your painting a finished, professional look, consider applying a layer of matte varnish or sealant. This will protect the painting and give it a cohesive finish.

DIY Thrifted Ghost Painting | REVEAL

Now that your ghostly painting is complete, it’s time to find the perfect spot to display it! Whether you hang it in your entryway, place it on a mantel, or prop it up on a shelf, this fun DIY project is sure to be a conversation starter.

This DIY thrifted ghost painting trend is not only fun and easy but also a great way to recycle old artwork and give it new life. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to add a personal touch to your Halloween decorations without spending a lot of money.

Happy haunting!