Halloween DIY: Hand-Painted Halloween Candles

Halloween is right around the corner, and what better way to set the mood than by creating your own hand-painted Halloween tapered candles? These eerie and enchanting candles can transform your home into a spooky sanctuary!
What you need at home:
- Tapered candles (white or black)
- 100% Acrylic paint in various Halloween colors
- Paintbrushes (small and medium-sized)
- Water cup for rinsing brushes
- Paper towels or cloth for wiping brushes
DIY Guide:
Plan Your Design
- Before you start painting, decide on the Halloween-themed designs you'd like on your candles. This could include Jack-o-lantern faces, spooky ghosts, bats, witch hats, or any other Halloween symbols that inspire you.
- Optional: Sketch out your designs on a practice sheet of paper. You can even use your brushes and paint to get a feel for how you'll create your symbols.
Take a look at some of the candles our Members painted during our October Members-Only Event:
Prep Your Candle
- Wipe your candle down with some water and a paper towel to clean the surface.
- If you don't want your candle background to be black or white, you can paint the entire candle with a background color. Orange, black, or dark purple work well as base colors.
- You may need to apply multiple coats to get the desired opacity. Allow each coat to dry before applying the next.
Paint Your Candle
- If you applied a base coat, make sure it is fully dry.
- Now, start adding the details of your Halloween designs.
- If you're not good at drawing, break down the symbols into simple shapes. For example, you can paint a simple triangle and a line for a witches' hat.
- Use small brushes for intricate details, and don't be afraid to experiment! Dots, lines, and swirls can add that extra spooky touch.
- Allow your candles to dry completely between coats and after you finish your design.
- Place your hand-painted Halloween candles in a candle holder or jars to enhance their presence. You can also group them on a spooky centerpiece on your dining table or mantle.
With these DIY Halloween tapered candles, your home is ready for a ghoulishly good time this October. Don't forget to share your creations with us on social media and tag us @theworks.seattle.
Have a Happy Halloween and happy crafting!