How to Paint Stars With Watercolors

Watercolor paint has the ability to make both bold and faint stars.

Watercolors are a versatile medium, useful for creating sharp colors with defined edges as well as soft shapes with blurry boundaries. Small details such as stars are tricky to pull off in watercolor because the colors tend to run together. With the right technique, though, you can add attractive stars to your painting. Be patient while working on your stars. If you rush, your stars may meld into the rest of the image and become unrecognizable blurs in the sky.

Things You'll Need

• Watercolor paint
• Fine-tipped paintbrush

Instructions

1. Paint the background for the sky using a deep blue or black color. Allow the background color to dry before you proceed. Set the picture on a flat surface so your paint does not run.

2. Add a small drop of water to a yellow watercolor cake. Allow the drop of water to absorb the color of the paint.

3. Dip the very tip of a fine paintbrush. Use a paintbrush with a stiff tip for the best results. Barely touch the painted background with the very tip of the paintbrush to leave a small yellow dot.

4. Create several dots on the dried background sky to represent the different stars of the night sky. Some dots may be larger than other dots, but the overall effect should look natural. Allow the drops of yellow to dry before you move the picture.

Tips & Warnings

• Intentionally leave blank circles in the night sky if you want to create large, dramatic stars. Allow the background sky to dry and fill in the open circles with yellow paint.

References

• Kerry Grey; Art Teacher; El Dorado Springs, Missouri