What is Candle Painting? Tips on How to Paint a Candle

Candle painting can be a fun, rewarding and expressive art form which involves applying paint directly onto the wax surface of a candle, creating intricate designs, patterns, and even personalised messages. The result is a beautifully decorated candle that can serve as a unique centrepiece, a thoughtful gift, or an elegant accent to any room, and offers endless possibilities for creativity and expression.

In this modern era, where digital media can dominate the visual landscape, there’s something profoundly satisfying about the tactile process of candle painting. Want to know more? Here’s how to paint candles and some tips on what type of candle paint to use for your waxy wonders!

People have been decorating candles for thousands of years, with roots in various cultures around the world. Originally used just for providing light, over time, they evolved into symbols of celebration, spirituality, and decoration.

As the Middle Ages transitioned into the Renaissance, candle painting and decorating became popular, and decorated and adorned candles were used in the world’s great churches for religious ceremonies and festivals.

Nineteenth century innovations in the manufacturing process of wax candles allowed for ever more intricate and detailed designs. Today, it’s a fun and enjoyable craft that can make a lovely addition to any room.

If you want to know how to paint a candle, read on.

We’ll get to the process of how to paint candles in a bit, but first, how has it become so popular? Like many crafts that have seen a recent resurgence, such as scrapbooking, decoupage, and flower pressing, trends are often fuelled both by social media as well as a desire to make instead of buy.

And there’s a candle for every occasion! How about hearts for Valentine’s Day, eggs at Easter, holly at Christmas, or pumpkins at Halloween?

For beginners, the best type of paint to use is approved, non-toxic acrylic. Candle painting can get a bit fiddly, but acrylic adheres well to the wax surface, dries quickly, and is available in a wide range of colours. It’s also water-based, making it easy to clean up with soap and water if you make a mistake. Additionally, you’ll need to check that the acrylic paint you choose is non-toxic and approved for candle painting, which is important when working with candles that might be burned later.

There are types of acrylic paint specially formulated and certified for candle painting, and there are also liquid wax-based paints or candle pens, which are specifically made for decorating candles. These are designed to blend seamlessly with the candle wax, creating a more polished and professional finish. Candle pens, in particular, can be excellent for adding fine details and writing on candles.

Getting started with candle painting requires a few basic tools and materials. Here’s a list of the essentials:

Candles

White or light-coloured candles work best because they provide a neutral background that allows your designs to stand out. You can choose candles in all shapes and sizes, such as pillar candles, taper candles, or votive candles, depending on your project.

Acrylic Paint

As we mentioned earlier, acrylic paint that’s been certified for use on candles is the best type of paint to use for beginners who want to start candle painting. This is because it sticks well to the candle and it’s available in a range of vibrant colour options.

Paintbrushes

A variety of paintbrushes in different sizes will help you achieve different effects and details in your designs. Larger brushes are useful for covering wider areas or creating backgrounds, and smaller, finer brushes are for details and lines. It’s also helpful to have a fan brush for blending and creating soft effects.

Mixing Tray or Palette

You’ll need a palette or mixing tray to hold and mix your paints. This allows you to combine colours and create your own unique shades that suit your design.

Water & Cloths

A beaker of water is essential for rinsing your brushes, and you’ll also want to have a few cloths or paper towels handy to blot your brushes and clean up any spills.

Masking Tape or Stencils

If you want to create clean lines or specific shapes, masking tape can be used to separate off areas of the candle. Stencils are another great tool for adding consistent patterns or designs to your candles without the need for freehand painting.

One other thing to mention is that you should protect your work surface with newspaper or a disposable tablecloth to protect it from paint splatters. With these basic tools and materials, you can start your candle painting journey and create beautiful candles.

If you’ve done it before, you’ll know that acrylic candle painting is lots of fun. If you haven’t, prepare to enjoy yourself!

Prepare Your Workspace

Cover your workspace with newspaper or a disposable tablecloth to protect it from any paint spills, and then gather all your materials so that everything is within easy reach.

Clean Your Candles

Before you start painting, wipe down the surface of the candle with a dry, lint-free cloth to remove any dust or residue. Some people use rubbing alcohol or surgical spirit but if you don’t have any, a cloth will do just fine. This will help the paint adhere better.

Plan Your Design

Think about the design you want to create on your candle. If you’re using stencils or painter’s tape to create specific shapes or patterns, now’s the time to put them on.

Start Painting

If you want to create a background colour or a base coat, use a large brush to apply a thin layer of acrylic paint over the entire candle, and allow it to dry completely before moving on to the next step. Using a smaller brush, start painting your design onto the candle. You can paint freehand, use stencils, or follow the lines created by painter’s tape. If you’re layering colours, make sure to let each layer dry before applying the next one to avoid smudging.

Add Details

For finer details or writing, use a thin brush or a candle pen. If you make a mistake, you can gently wipe it away with a damp cloth before the paint dries and then correct it.

Let the Paint Dry

Allow the painted candle to dry completely. This might take a few hours, depending on the thickness of the paint layers.

Once everything is dry, your painted candle is ready to be displayed, used, or given as a gift!

The best answers to the question ‘what is candle painting’ is that it’s a fun and enjoyable hobby for which you don’t need expensive materials, it’s really easy to learn, and with just a few basic tools and a bit of imagination, you can transform plain candles into stunning works of art that brighten any space and bring warmth and personality into any setting.