I’ve always loved recreating nature in my paintings. like seascapes and geodes. This time I created a galaxy paint pour on a table that looks like some sort of nebula. As an added bonus, I also added some glow-in-the-dark powder for a glowing effect.
How to Paint a Galaxy in Acrylics – Galaxy Paint Colors
In October, this year, I decided to create a galaxy painting and make a series of “How to Paint a Galaxy” video series to document it. This galaxy artwork is the first painting I created after I made an important step in my life. I moved from my father’s house and now I live with my partner. I wanted to move from home for many years, already, and this year this thing finally happened.
The painting I decided to create is a symbol of freedom built in galaxy paint colors. It represents my spiritual journey into the vast space and the first step in reaching my goal. If I would describe in words my painting, although I don’t like to explain my artworks, this is how it would be:
My galaxy painting’s description
A free flock of birds flying into the universe is the expression of my rebellion against society’s rules and limitations. My mind never fits into the world’s regulations. I used to suffer from this divergence, even felt bad for being so different from everyone else. The birds in my galaxy painting fly in the same direction with the galaxies and nebula. They let the universal spirit flow in them and guide them around the world. They have no legs because they are spiritual beings searching for the essence of the Universe. Hence, they don’t have a body that will get tired. This galaxy painting in acrylics is the feeling in my soul. A restless search of something beyond reality.
“Cosmic birds – this painting is a manifestation of my feelings. It’s the flickering you feel in your chest when you decide you want to be free. When you decide to be free you don’t just become free. When you decide to be free you leave the person you used to be, behind. You unchain your soul and mind of society’s regulation, other people’s expectations, and your own preconceptions. You no longer fear other people’s judgmental thoughts and you just be your real self. That is the moment when you start walking the path, the path to you.”
Tools and materials:
- acrylics paint from Maimeri
- primed and stretched cotton canvas
- regular pencil
- various size brushes
- music for your soul
This is not my first attempt at using galaxy paint colors and create a galaxy painting. In the past, I painted a galaxy background for another piece of art. I named that painting “Butterflies and galaxies” and that is when I worked with this technique.
Step 1 – drawing the birds and coloring the background
Begin with a quick sketch in pencil on the canvas with a pencil. This is just a guideline, so you don’t have to make it too detailed or visible. You start by drawing the birds on canvas. Their shapes can be the way you like.
After drawing the sketch use black acrylics paint for the background. Keep the birds’ shape untouched. For reference and example, see the following video I did. The speech is in Romanian, but I also added captions so check the option before watching the video.
Star dust by Cristina Vivi Iordache
After coloring the background, the next step is to paint the galaxies. This is the step that will help you learn how to paint a galaxy in acrylics on canvas. I used various galaxy paint colors: primary bright yellow, magenta red, titanium white, bright green. This step is a little tricky because you won’t notice how good the galaxies look until you add the stars.
You can use normal brushes to add the galaxy paint colors or you can use soft sponges. I couldn’t find my sponge, but in the next video tutorial, I will definitely show you how I use a beauty blender :D.
Add more intense galaxy colors in the middle of each nebula cluster using the brush and fade it away with a sponge as you move away from the center. When you are satisfied with the way the galaxy looks, add the stars. Use diluted white paint and a fan brush or a normal brush and hit it gently with another brush to create tiny drops on the painting.
When creating the stars, add more drops in the middle of the galaxies and less in the black areas. You should use a reference photo of galaxies to observe the pattern. You will see that the stars conglomerate in the middle and this is giving the galaxy its shine.
In the next video of my series of how to paint a galaxy in acrylics on canvas, you can see how I used these techniques to create my galaxy painting:
my Youtube channel. Also, if you enjoy seeing me painting, subscribe to my channel because you will find lots of painting and drawing videos.
Thank you for reading and have a great day.
Supplies and Galaxy Paint Pour Colors
For this table, I used Colourarte pigments, Prizm Pour paints, GLAM Powders, and other materials listed down below. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Pixie Wing Glitter Powder (or Star Struck GLAM Powder which is much more affordable and just as sparkly and beautiful) available at EnchantingFineArt.com
- Night Tide Glitter Powder (or Celestial Rays GLAM Powder which is much more affordable and just as sparkly and beautiful) available at EnchantingFineArt.com
- Colourarte Pigments (Azure Moon, Ceylon Cinnamon, Abalone Shell, Malachite)
- Prizm Pour Paints (Chantilly Lace, Frozen)
Use Coupon Code love621 to get 20% OFF from any Colourarte.com product
- Black Artist Loft Paint
- White acrylic paint
- Watco Semi-Gloss Lacquer
- White Amsterdam acrylic Ink
- Dotting tools
- Glow in the Dark Powder
- TriArt Liquid Glass
- Stone Coat Art Resin
- Mehron Gold Metallic Powder
- Hello Hobby Midnight Chalk Paint from Walmart
How to Paint a Galaxy
This galaxy table was made in several steps and by drawing extra elements like stars, star bursts, and a planet.
You can watch the creation process in the video below or follow the instructions that follow.
Instructions
- Cover with plastic the areas of your table where you don’t want to get paint or resin on.
- Paint the table surface with some black Artist Loft Paint.
- Dot some white acrylic paint on the table by using a dotting tool or a toothpick dipped in paint. You can also dip an old toothbrush in paint and then flicker the paint onto the table top by running your fingers through the bristles. This is a great way to add stars to your background.
- Let the background paint and white dots dry.
- Add a coat of spray acrylic varnish like Watco Semi-Gloss Lacquer to prevent the paint from cracking when you add the second layer of paint.
- Mix a little bit of your Colourarte Pigments into some TriArt Liquid Glass in individual containers until you get the desired color.
- Mix some Glow in the Dark Powder into some TriArt Liquid Glass.
- Dump your paint mixtures and glow-in-the-dark mixture onto your table, leaving some areas without color so your black background shows through. Add clear TriArt Liquid Glass onto your table on the areas where there is no paint mixture.
- Mix your colors by blowing on the paint or using your fingers to blend the colors into each other. You have to work fast because this paint mixture dries up pretty quick.
- Sprinkle some “Star Struck” and “Celestial Rays” GLAM Powders onto some areas of your galaxy where you want extra sparkle.
- Let this layer dry!
- Add some highlights, and draw some stars and star bursts on top of that first layer using some Prizm Pour Paints.
- Add a planet by adding some Prizm Pour Paints onto a circle surface and then plopping that paint onto the desired area on your table.
- I ended up adding a little bit of Mehron Gold Metallic Powder on the planet because I didn’t like how my planet was looking. Then I blew off with my mouth the excess powder which created a sort of halo.
- Let the stars, star bursts, and planet dry completely before adding a layer of Stone Coat Art Resin.
- While this coat of resin is still wet, you can sprinkle some more GLAM Powders. Let this coat dry!
- Paint a little bit more black paint onto some areas where you want to resemble holes in the nebula.
- After the paint dries, add a second coat of resin for more depth.
- Paint the legs of your table with some chalk paint. I used Hello Hobby Midnight Chalk Paint from Walmart.
Summary
There you have it! A beautiful galaxy paint pour on a table.
I still have to refine my technique for blending the colors in a more efficient way, but for now, I am very pleased with the results of this space painting.
The twinkling effects and sparkle on this table are out of this world, and the glow-in-the-dark effect make this table even more stunning at night.
Let me know if you give this technique a try and how your project turns out.
How to create a galaxy painting using pointillism!
Pointillism- a technique in painting in which small, distinct dots of pure color are applied in patterns to form an image. Georges Seurat is one the most famous painters to use this technique.
Close up of Seurat’s painting “La Parade de Cirque” Notice how there are several different INDIVIDUAL colors that the eye mixes to create one large area of color. Who else used this technique.
Pointillism was formed after artists like Vincent Van Gogh and Claude Monet brought Impressionism to the world.
This is an example of an impressionistic painting. Can you see how pointillism was influenced by this style?
You will now use what you know about pointillism and it’s origins to create a painting of a galaxy or space scape using this technique.
We have talked about mood with color and we have talked about how the eye mixes certain colors when placed next to each other, so I want you to be aware of the “mood” in your painting.
This galaxy has a lot of COOL colors (purples and blues). Cool colors tend to set a calm tranquil mood.
While WARM colors (reds, oranges and yellows) set a tumultuous or aggressive mood.
We will start by painting a background. It is totally up to you on how much texture or color you want in the background. I chose to mix black and blue with smoother texture.
Then start adding dots! We will use acrylic paint and toothpicks to make the dots.
Some areas will need to have concentrated color and dots to create the sense clumps of stars. There should also be variation in the sizes and colors of your dots.
I kept adding texture to the background as I went along.
Add star bursts, swirls and anything else you want in YOUR painting. Planets, moons etc! Have fun!
