How to Do an Easy Ghost Gathering Painting

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Co-authored by Virginia Kelley, MA

Last Updated: December 25, 2024

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It's that time of year when the air cools and trees are nothing more than a collection of naked limbs and branches. It's a time when unusual creatures suddenly come alive. We shudder and shiver and enjoy being scared. Halloween is coming!

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1. 1
   Consult your memory and picture in your mind how ghosts might look moving about among us. People dress up like ghosts since it is such a simple costume. A classic ghost is a sheet with holes for eyes. For fun, however, research ghosts on the internet, and you will find that ghouls come in many forms.

   • Cartoon ghosts
   • Ghosts in literature
   • Famous ghosts
   • Graveyard ghosts
2. 
   2
   Gather the items you'll need. With a few supplies you can make a watercolor of ghosts.
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3. 3
   Buy a roll of contact paper (sticky-backed, adhesive paper used in home decorating) at the dollar store.
4. 4
   Turn the piece of paper over and draw (in black marker on the back) a series of ghosts.
5. 5
   Cut the ghost shapes out with scissors.
6. 6
   Open a 9" x 12" pad of watercolor paper.
7. 7
   Play with arrangements of the ghost cut-outs on that sheet of paper.
8. 8
   Peel off the paper backing and stick the ghost shapes to your paper when satisfied with the arrangement.

   • If the backing sticks, isolate a corner and fold that corner to get it to release.
   • When placed, they should take up at least half the space.
   • Group a few and make one flying.
9. 9
   Cover your workspace with plastic or paper. Wet your watercolors. Have on hand a container of clean water to rinse your brush.
10. 10
    Get ready to paint and plan to go right over the ghost shapes with background colors.

    • Contrast is the name of this game. The ghosts need a dark background to show up well. Use rich, deep colors to fill all the space.
    • Watercolor dries lighter than it first appears.
    • Let the piece dry and paint another dark layer over it.
11. 11
    Peel off the ghost shapes when completely dry.
12. 
    12
    Give the ghosts personalities by drawing facial expressions with a black, pointed marker.
13. 13
    Give the bodies some interest using diluted black paint to make a gray shade.

    • A touch of gray at the edges of each ghost will add the illusion of depth.
    • Little triangles at the edges of the sheets will give a sense that the robes have a little movement.
14. 14
    Hang the piece and study it. More ideas might occur to you, so work back into it if you wish. Or, just leave it to enjoy until Halloween.
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Things You'll Need

• Scissors
• 9" x 12" pad of watercolor paper.
• Black, pointed marker pen
• Plastic or paper to cover your workspace
• Contact paper (sticky-backed, adhesive paper)
• Set of watercolors
• Watercolor brushes
• Water