How to Paint Holiday Windows

You don't have to go shopping to enjoy festive seasonal windows - here's how to create your own at home.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Greeting Cards
• Squeegees
• Tempera Paints
• Stepladders
• Round Hobby Paintbrushes
• Sponges
• Single-edged Razor Blades
• Butcher Papers
• Small Plastic Cups For Paint
• Plastic Bucket
• Flat Hobby Paintbrushes
• Measuring Tapes
• Masking Tape
• Coloring Books
• Stencils
• Pencils And Erasers
• Sponge Paintbrushes
• Old Newspapers
• Overhead Projectors

1. Measure the window you will be painting, and note its dimensions and shape. Be sure the window has some protection from rain and snow, such as an awning. Window paint will wash off if it gets wet.

2. Consult coloring books and greeting cards for ideas, then decide what designs or images you want to paint. Or create your own original design.

3. 

   Draw your design, actual size, on a piece of butcher paper.

4. Tape the butcher paper to the inside of the window with the design facing out. This will be your guide for applying paint.

5. Don't bother washing the windows right before painting; a light coat of dust will help the paint adhere to the window.

6. Prepare the work area by placing newspaper on the ground.

7. 

   Plan the colors you'll use for each area of your design. Tempera paints are most commonly used.

8. 

   Pour paint from the bottles into small plastic cups.

9. 

   Paint large areas of the design first, using a wide brush. Use smaller brushes to paint smaller areas and add details.

10. 

    Outline your design and add finishing touches and highlights using a fine-tipped brush with black or white paint.

Tips & Warnings

• If painting a store window, discuss design possibilities with the owner in advance.

• Paint a simple, repetitive border freehand, or use a stencil or a cut sponge.

• If paint drips or runs down the window, let it dry, then use a razor blade to scrape it off.

• Tempera paints will wash off with water. When you're ready to wash your design off the window, soak the painted area with water from a sponge, then rinse and squeegee the window surface.

• Use caution when working on a ladder. Make sure the ladder is stable before climbing on.

• Keep razor blades out of the reach of children.