How to Hand-Paint Your Very Own Candles

The days of using candles as a light source are over. Nowadays, candles we use candles for aesthetics, fragrance, and decoration. As the use of candles changes, so too do the candles themselves. 

The most prominent example of this is painted candles. Painted candles are becoming particularly popular these days, and it’s easy to see why: personable, aesthetically pleasing, and decorative. Painted candles make for the perfect gift. 

So how can you get your hands on your own hand painted candles? While you can easily purchase your own, you can just as easily customize and paint your candle by hand. 

More Information

However, painting your own candle is not quite as simple as it may sound. Before you decide whether you want to begin this journey, there are a couple of things you need to know. 

Firstly, standard craft paints won’t work for painting candles. Because of the uniqueness of the candle painting, medium ordinary paints don’t stick to the walls of the candle. Instead, you will need acrylic paint.

Furthermore, if you are looking for the best results, consider using non-scented wax. Essential oils may make the surface of the candle less responsive towards painting, making scented candles undesirable.

What You’ll Need

When preparing for painting your very own candles, there are a few materials you’ll need to gather first:

• Candles
• Rubbing Alcohol
• Lint-free cloth
• Paint brushes (or sponges)
• Acrylic paint
• Paper Stencils (optional)
• Clay Carving Tool (optional)

Once you’ve gathered all the necessary materials, you’re all set to proceed to painting.

How to Paint Candles

1. Your first step should be to wipe down your canlde. Use rubbing alcohol and a lint-free cloth. This will remove the waxiness of the candle surface and help the paint absorb better.
2. Next comes the actual painting. Paint your design with either your paint brush or sponge. If you want to use a paper stencil, make sure you are firmly securing the stencil against the candle when painting. 
3. Once the first coat has dried, apply a second. Usually, two coats are enough, but you may need to add more depending on your design and the color paint you’re using.
4. Allow the paint to dry for a few hours.
5. Even after the candles are finished, handle them delicately. The paint can easily chip or scratch if they aren’t given the proper treatment.

Painting your candles is fairly straightforward. There are a few things you can do to improve your design. You can also use a clay carving tool to add more depth to your designs.

Things to Keep in Mind

Don’t Be a Perfectionist

Expecting perfection will only result in frustration and disappointment. Painting on a curved surface can be much more difficult but as long as you’ve prepped the candle, the paint should go on without problems. 

Pick Your Colors Carefully

I prefer to buy candles that come in one uniform color and painting contrasting colors onto them. This strategy helps the designs stick out and make the candle look flashy.

Use the Best Candle Wax For You

You’ll find as you explore the world of candle painting that different waxes work best with different colors. Experimenting and deciding for yourself which wax works best for you and your preferences works best.

Prioritize safety

Your candles should be ready to burn after a few hours of painting, as long as you are using water-based, non-toxic acrylic paint. The amount of paint you use also plays a role in the flammability of the candle so it’s best to stick to smaller scale designs. There’s also the option of simply using your painted candles as decoration rather than burning them at all. 

In Conclusion

Remember that this process is completely subjective and this blog post is merely a guideline. There is no wrong answer when it comes to candle painting, this article is simply made to give you an idea of what you’re doing. Much of the specifics of the process must be decided by you. 

Painting candles can be a very fulfilling hobby. Whether you want to start to decorate your home, start a business, or just create the perfect gift for someone close to you. Painted candles are a great alternative to their bland conventional counterparts.

Good luck! I hope you’re able to get everything out of painted candles that you hope to. I know I have.