How to Paint the Solar System on a Ceiling

Do you have a future astronomer in your family? Paint a ceiling that will inspire him or her to reach for the stars!

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Round Hobby Paintbrushes
• Sponge Paintbrushes
• Solar System Bulletin Board Set
• Acrylic Paints
• Dark Blue House Paints
• Drop Cloths
• Paint Roller Pans
• Paint Rollers With Extension Pole
• Acrylic Paints
• Drop Cloths
• Small Plastic Containers
• Colored Pencils Or Chalk
• Ladders
• Ladders
• Glow-in-the-dark Stars

1. Remove or cover furniture and put down a drop cloth.

2. Paint the ceiling dark blue and let it dry. See "How to Paint a Ceiling" for directions.

3. Use light-colored pencil or chalk to draw a large circle at the center of the ceiling to represent the sun. If you have a light fixture in the center of the ceiling, it can represent the sun.

4. Use solar system bulletin board pieces as templates for tracing the planets onto the ceiling.

5. Start at the center of the ceiling close to the sun and trace Mercury. Continue out from the center, tracing each planet and finishing with Pluto, the planet farthest from the sun.

6. Use the bulletin board pieces as guides for selecting acrylic paint colors for each planet.

7. Pour each color into a plastic container.

8. Paint each planet and the sun, using the appropriate bulletin board piece as a guide.

9. Use a flat sponge brush to paint in large areas of color.

10. Add details with a round craft brush.

Tips & Warnings

• Use the information included in a bulletin board set or encyclopedia or other reference book to help you place the planets in the correct order and at the correct distance from the sun.
• After the planets have dried, stick glow-in-the-dark stars on the ceiling to create the Milky Way.
• Hang a space shuttle model or a plastic astronaut from the ceiling.
• Maintain adequate ventilation while you are painting and while paint is drying.
• Protect yourself from drips by wearing a cap or scarf and old clothes.
• Use caution when working on a ladder. Make sure it is stable before you climb on.

[padeolu]

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