Every year, I tell myself I’m going to make some cute Halloween decor for my house – but I never know what to make that doesn’t feel… well, tacky. You know the kind.
But the other day, I was thrifting and found these little vintage-looking frames that practically yelled at me to buy them. They were the perfect size for a small shelf display, and immediately I knew: ghost paintings.
So, that’s exactly what I made – and in this post, I’ll walk you through how you can make your own too!
Supplies Used
- Watercolor paper (cut to fit your frames)
- Gouache paint (any set works – mine’s a new one I’ve been dying to try!)
- Paintbrushes (I used a big one for the background and a smaller one for details)
- A frame or two from your local thrift store
- Optional: a heat gun or hairdryer for faster drying
Rather watch than read? Check out the full video by clicking the video below!
Let’s Get Started!
Grab your supplies, prep your watercolour paper to the size of your frames, and let’s get started!
Step 1: Paint the Background
Start by painting the background black, but don’t worry about making it perfect. I left some edges rough since the frame would cover them anyway.
I used gouache instead of black watercolor paper because I love the visible paint texture. To make things more interesting, I also added deep greens along the bottom – kind of like a dark, misty field.
💡 Tip: Use plenty of water with gouache! When I first started using it, I treated it like acrylic paint (aka barely any water), and it didn’t go well.
Once you’re happy with your background, dry it with a heat gun or let it air dry.
Step 2: Paint Your Ghost
Now for the star of the show: the ghost!
I used a big, wet brush with lots of white gouache and started shaping my ghost toward the bottom of the frame. I like when a bit of the background color shows through – it makes the ghost look slightly transparent, which feels right, right? 👻
Let that layer dry, then go over it with a more opaque white so it really pops. You can add a touch of gray for depth if you like.
Step 3: Build the Grass and Flowers
Next, I added tall grasses around the ghost. Start with dark green and build up lighter greens as you go – each new layer makes it look fuller and more realistic.
I learned this layering trick from a viral video by Liz (thank you, Liz!). The key is to keep your brush really wet and use soft, sweeping lines.
Once the grasses were done, I started adding wildflowers – tiny red and pink dots scattered around the ghost. I layered them from dark to light so some looked like they were farther away.
Then I finished them with a few simple dots of lighter paint in the center for the flower middles.
Step 4: Add Details
Every ghost needs eyes! I kept mine small and simple – just two little black ovals – and it instantly gave him personality.
That’s a Wrap – Your Finished Painting!
Once it’s all dry, pop your painting into a frame and admire how not tacky it looks.
I absolutely love how this little guy turned out – sweet, spooky, and perfectly subtle for Halloween. Plus, once the season’s over, you can swap the painting out and reuse the frame for winter, spring, or whatever you paint next.
So go thrifting, grab some gouache, and make yourself a ghost painting (or three). I promise – it’s the least tacky Halloween project you’ll ever make. 🎃
BONUS Tutorials!
If you’re in my Patreon community,, I’ve shared two more ghost painting tutorials that pair perfectly with this one to make a little trio. Because what’s better than ONE adorable ghostie? THREE adorable ghosties! I reused the same color palette for all three, so they look great as a set.
But even if you’re just doing one, this is such a cute, easy way to make Halloween decor that feels seasonal and classy – not plastic skeletons and glitter bats.
I’d LOVE to see your creations. Tag me on Instagram: @thehappyevercrafter
And finally, your dad joke…
It was so cold yesterday that my computer froze…
Too many windows were open.
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