Create A Galaxy T-Shirt: Easy Painting Guide

Galaxy print T-shirts are a fun and easy DIY project that can be done cheaply at home. All you need is a black T-shirt, some paint, a paintbrush or sponge, and a spray bottle. You can also add glitter or glow-in-the-dark paint for a unique touch. The process is simple: mix your paints, apply them to the shirt using a sponge or paintbrush, and then add stars with a toothbrush or spray bottle. Let the shirt dry, and you're done! Galaxy shirts are a great way to express your creativity and love for space, and they make a fun project for kids and adults alike. So why not give it a try and create your own out-of-this-world T-shirt?

Choosing your paints

When choosing your paints, it's important to consider the colour scheme you want to go for. A good tip is to choose three colours that sit next to each other on the colour wheel, that way, you can easily mix the colours without creating brown or grey paint. For a galaxy design, you might want to opt for cosmic colours such as blue, pink, purple, and white. You can also add glitter to make parts of your shirt sparkle.

You can use fabric or permanent acrylic paints, and you will need to mix them with a chromacrylic textile medium to thin them out. This will make sponge painting and layering easier. You can also add a little water to the paint to thin it out further.

If you want your shirt to glow in the dark under a black light, you can add glow-in-the-dark paint. You can also use a blacklight to make white paint glow. If you want to add some extra sparkle, you can use fabric glitter.

For the stars, you will need a small paintbrush or a toothpick, and an old toothbrush. Dip the toothbrush into white paint and then flick the paint onto the shirt. You can also use a spray bottle with a mixture of bleach and water to create a fading effect on the shirt before you start painting.

Preparing your t-shirt

• Choose your t-shirt: Select a plain t-shirt, preferably in a dark colour like black, as your canvas. Cotton or other natural fabrics work best for paint absorption and a comfortable fit. Make sure to pick a shirt that is slightly loose, as this will make it easier to work with during the painting process.
• Gather your materials: You will need a variety of paint colours such as blue, pink, purple, and white. You can also add glitter or glow-in-the-dark paint for extra sparkle and a unique touch. Additionally, you will need a paint palette or a disposable plate, a piece of cardboard, and a paintbrush or sponge. An old toothbrush will also come in handy for creating starry effects.
• Prepare your workspace: Cover your work area with newspaper or a drop cloth to protect it from paint stains. Set up your paints on the palette or plate, and have some water nearby for rinsing your brush or sponge. It is recommended to work outdoors or in a well-ventilated area to ensure proper ventilation during the painting process.
• Protect your work surface: Place a piece of cardboard inside your t-shirt. This will prevent the paint from bleeding through to the other side of the fabric, creating a neat and professional finish.
• Prepare your paints: Squeeze or squirt a small amount of each paint colour onto your palette or plate. You can also pre-mix some colours if you desire, but be sure to leave enough paint for additional coats or touch-ups. Remember, you can always add more paint, so start with a small amount and build from there.

Now that you have prepared your t-shirt, you are ready to begin the painting process. Remember to be creative, have fun, and don't be afraid to experiment with different colours and techniques. Galaxy shirts are meant to be unique and whimsical, so embrace your artistic side and enjoy the process of bringing your galactic vision to life!

Dabbing on the paint

When you're ready to start painting, squirt your paints onto a plate to make a palette. Place a piece of cardboard inside your shirt to prevent the paint from bleeding through to the other side.

Begin dabbing paint onto your shirt. This part takes time—you have to make sure it looks like clouds, so a mixture of techniques is best. Use less paint to start, then build from there! Dab the paint on, smear a little, then twist. This will give you the best distribution of paint and the most natural-looking strokes. It takes some time and practice, so start small.

Continue adding paint until you get the shape and brightness you want. You may have to go over some sections several times to make them opaque enough. The most natural-looking shape will be very irregular. Just keep adding paint until you get the look you want. There is not really a “right” way to do it.

You can also use a sponge to lightly dab on the paint. Don't add too much paint to the sponge, and don't sponge on the paint too thickly, as it'll be harder to fix mistakes. It's better to paint lightly and slowly build up the paint.

Adding stars

If you want to create a spray of paint droplets, an old toothbrush can be very effective. Cover the toothbrush in white fabric paint and pull back on the bristles to create a splatter effect. You can practice this technique before applying it to your t-shirt to get a feel for how it works. The closer you are to the shirt, the bigger and more concentrated the stars will be.

For a different effect, you can dip a toothbrush into white paint and then flick the paint onto the shirt. This method can be quite messy, so it may be a good idea to cover your work surface with newspaper or do it outside. You can create bigger splatters by flinging the toothbrush as you flick it. Keep flicking until you have added as many stars as you want.

You can also use a small paintbrush to add stars. Dip the brush into white paint and create cross shapes for brighter stars, making one bigger than the other. You can also paint streaks of white to create shooting stars.

Another option is to use a spray bottle. Mix a 2:1 ratio of white acrylic paint and chromacrylic textile medium into a spray bottle, adding a little water to thin it out. Spray the solution onto the shirt to create the appearance of stars.

Finally, once your paint is dry, you can use a paint pen to draw your favourite star constellation. Start by drawing the stars, and then connect them with lines.

Drying and layering

Drying:

• Once you have finished painting your T-shirt, it is crucial to let it dry completely. Make sure to follow the instructions on the paint package and allow sufficient time for the paint to dry.
• After the first layer of paint has dried, you may find that you want to add more paint or additional colours to enhance the galaxy effect. Feel free to do so, but keep in mind that the second coat will go on thicker since you are building upon the existing paint.
• It is important to let each layer of paint dry completely before adding new paint to avoid smearing or mixing colours unintentionally.

Layering:

• When creating a galaxy design, you can use layering techniques to add depth and texture to your T-shirt. Think of it like making a sandwich, where each ingredient is a separate layer that builds upon the previous one.
• For the galaxy T-shirt, start with a base colour, such as blue, as your first layer. Apply this colour lightly and gradually build up the paint, allowing each layer to dry before adding the next.
• Continue adding layers of different colours, such as purple and pink, to create a galaxy effect. You can use a sponge or a paintbrush to apply the paint, building up the colours gradually.
• Remember to let each layer dry before adding the next, as this will help you achieve the desired galaxy look without creating a muddy or overly textured appearance.
• You can also add white paint to create stars and planets. Use a toothbrush to flick the white paint onto the shirt, creating a starry effect. Again, allow this layer to dry completely.
• If desired, you can add glow-in-the-dark paint as a final touch to make your galaxy T-shirt truly unique and out-of-this-world!

By following these drying and layering techniques, you will be well on your way to creating a stunning galaxy T-shirt that is truly one of a kind!

Frequently asked questions