This simple DIY art tutorial will show you how to create your own magically glowing lunar wall art. Perfect for a nursery or kids room, this project is easy to create with extraordinary glow-in-the-dark paint and my step-by-step video tutorial. This post has been made in partnership with DecoArt and may contain affiliate links, which help to support this site at no extra cost to you. Thanks!
If you have been around here much before, then you know that I love a simple DIY art project. I am really excited to share today’s art project with you all because it’s simple enough that ANYONE can make it, I think it’s really kind of beautiful, and it has a surprise – it glows in the dark! Don’t you just love artwork with a surprise?!
The secret to this painting’s glow-in-the-dark magic is Americana Glow, an amazing glow paint that comes in five unique colors that look beautiful in the daylight as well as glow longer and brighter than other glow-in-the-dark paints. This stuff is seriously cool, and it’s now available at Michaels!
DIY Glow-In-The-Dark Moon Art
I really enjoyed creating this simple little art piece, and I think you will love creating your own too! I’ve put together a simple video so you can clearly see my painting process. Keep scrolling to find the video and to read through my written instructions as well.
Ready to get painting?
DIY Glow-In-The-Dark Moon Art Supplies:
- Black Canvas
- Round Bowl or Canister for Tracing
- Chalk Pencil
- Dark Blue, Medium Gray, and White Acrylic Paint (I used Decoart Americana Multi-Surface in Night Sky, Pewter, and Cotton Ball.)
- Americana Glow Paint (I used Aqua.)
- Soft Paint Brushes
- Water
- Paper Towels
How to Make Your Own Glow-In-The-Dark Moon Wall Art
To see exactly how I painted my glow-in-the-dark moon art, just click play on the video below. (If you are not seeing the video, it may be because of an ad blocker.) If you prefer a written photo tutorial, just keep scrolling.
DIY Moon Art Step One. Paint Background.
Start of by spreading out a thin layer of your dark blue color over the black canvas. I used just a little bit of water to get a thinner wash. I used more paint in the center of the canvas to create a more opaque blue circle in the center of the canvas.
While the paint is still wet, tap a crumpled up paper towel around the edge of the canvas to remove some of the paint and add a textured look.
When you are done, the center of your canvas should have a lighter blue circle fading out to a darker edge.
DIY Moon Art Step Two. Paint White Circle.
After your blue paint has dried, grab a round bowl or canister and trace around it with your chalk pencil.
Then, fill in the circle with white paint. You may need two coats to get a nice opaque finish.
This step of adding a layer of white paint is important for getting more vibrant color and glow in your finished painting.
DIY Moon Art Step Three. Add Glow Paint.
Once your white paint has dried, it’s time to get glowing!
Apply Americana Glow with a soft brush over the white circle. Your first coat will go on very lightly and you won’t see much color, but the color will darken as the paint dries. I ended up doing about three coats to get more vibrant aqua color.
While your first coat of glow paint is drying, it’s time to add some star splatters! Grab a brush (I prefer a larger stiff brush for this step), dip it in your paint and flick it around the edges of your canvas.
After the splatters have dried, use a small round brush to dab on more paint on top of your splatters for a stronger glow effect. Because the splatter stars are not backed with white paint, they will not be as visible in light.
DIY Moon Art Step Four. Finish with Moon Details.
Finally, once your glow paint has dried, it’s time to add those moon details. For this step, find a picture of the moon online to reference as you paint.
To start, I used a wet brush and some water mixed with my gray to get a kind of watercolor effect. I again used a paper towel to pick up excess paint. Finally, I went back in with a small dry brush to add in small darker details.
And once your paint is dry, it’s all done and ready to hang!
I just love how the moon details still shine when the painting is glowing in the dark.
I was very impressed with the glow of this paint, and I had a lot of fun taking pictures of the piece in the dark. I used a black light in the photo below, and I just think it’s really cool. Don’t you?
What do you think? Have you tried Americana Glow paint yet? Would you give this DIY moon art a try?
Until next time, Happy Making!
Comments + Project Love
Patricia Richter says
thank you Alexis! Posting a cool craft is excellent way to keep us engaged and busy. I appreciate all the crafters and artist who are generous with their ideas and time. Thank you
Alexis says
Thanks so much, Patricia!
Catherine Bradley says
I Love this! Thanks!