DIY Spooky Tree Painting for Halloween

Halloween is my favorite holiday. It’s such a fun holiday to decorate for, but looking through all of my Halloween crafts I realized I didn’t have anything in the spooky tree category! I had some wood left over from another project, so I found a great tree stencil and made this easy painting, which is perfect for your Halloween mantle.

You’re going to need the stencil called “Branching Out” (pictured below), along with a piece of plywood of about the same size. Canvas would work too if you can find a square one.

I used Americana paints for this project and Americana acrylic sealer spray to finish it off.

Oh! And don’t forget cosmetic sponges for stenciling and little paper plates for holding your paint.

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As always, a full printable supply list and instructions are at the end of this post.
For this project you will need the following supplies:

• Branching Out tree stencil
• Plywood or canvas
• Americana acrylic sealer spray
• Cosmetic sponges

Americana acrylic paints

• Lamp Black
• Tangelo Orange
• Yellow Light
• True Red

How to Paint a Spooky Tree for Halloween

I had the best luck. I just happened to have several pieces of cut plywood that fit this stencil perfectly leftover from another project. You can also find square canvas at the craft store.

The very first step is to paint the board completely with Lamp Black and let it dry. When it’s dry, position the stencil in place, I held my edges down with masking tape. Use the cosmetic sponge to apply True Red to the bottom section of the stencil.

Gradually I changed from True Red to Tangelo Orange, never once cleaning my sponge or changing to a new one. Doing so allows the paint to mingle for a more natural color transition on your finished work.

I kept working my way up the board, finishing at the top with Yellow Light.

That’s it! Well, almost. Remove your stencil and let your painting dry. Finish it off with a couple coats of Americana acrylic sealer; I used matte finish.

Display on your mantel or on a shelf for a fun and spooky addition to your Halloween décor!

More Halloween decor you might like:

I have a large collection of Halloween crafts, for both adults and kids. Here are some of my adult crafts for Halloween:

Colorful Skull Luminaries

Eek Door Banner

Big Paper Bag Luminaries

Halloween Painted Jar Luminaries

Print Project

5 from 1 vote

DIY Spooky Tree Painting for Halloween

Supplies

• Branching Out tree stencil
• Plywood or canvas
• Americana acrylic sealer spray
• Cosmetic sponges
• Masking or Painter's Tape

Americana acrylic paints

• Lamp Black
• Tangelo Orange
• Yellow Light
• True Red

Instructions

• Paint the board completely with Lamp Black and let it dry. When it’s dry, position the stencil in place, I held my edges down with masking tape. Use the cosmetic sponge to apply True Red to the bottom section of the stencil.
• Gradually make a paint change from True Red to Tangelo Orange, never once cleaning your sponge or changing to a new one. Doing so allows the paint to mingle for a more natural color transition on your finished work.
• Keep working your way up the board, finishing at the top with Yellow Light.
• Remove your stencil and let your painting dry. Finish it off with a couple coats of Americana acrylic sealer in matte finish.