It is not hard to take a plain, white pillar candle and transform it into a beautiful and ornate work of art. Painting candles is a simple surface decoration technique that is fun to do. When the art of painting a plain candle is mastered, the artist can move on to painting ornately molded candles to enhance their beauty.
There are two methods to paint candles, one with beeswax and the other with artist acrylics.
Beeswax
Any type of candle wax can be used to paint candles, but beeswax gives a superior finish.
Supplies Needed
- Beeswax
- Candle dye
- Double boiler or egg poacher
- At least two paintbrushes
- Wooden spoon or stir stick
- Glass or mirror
- Hot water and old rag
Beeswax Method
- Melt the beeswax in a double boiler or egg poacher. The wax needs to be kept warm while working.
- Add candle dye. Use only candle dyes, other types of dyes will not mix or will not look right when the wax cools. Stir to mix in the dye.
- Practice painting the design on a piece of glass or mirror.
- Dip a paintbrush in the wax, and work quickly to practice paint on the mirror. Wax cools quickly. As often as necessary, go back and place the paintbrush back in the wax, wait for the cooled wax on the brush bristles to melt before using again. For speed, have more than one paintbrush in the wax.
- Finish design on mirror.
- When satisfied, paint design on candle.
Wax will easily wash off of the mirror with hot water on an old rag. Keep the rag with other candlemaking and crafting supplies.
The benefit of painting on the mirror first is to help prevent making mistakes on the candle. However, the painted on beeswax can usually be wiped off of the candle with a solvent, soft rag, and a little elbow grease.
Tips to Remember
- Keep candlemaking supplies separate from kitchen supplies. For example, do not use a wax double boiler for food preparation.
- Never pour wax down a drain, it will clog. Never wash wax pots in the dishwasher, the wax will clog. Never wash wax rags in the washing machine, a small amount of wax can clog and gum up the works.
- Never leave a burning candle unattended.
Artist's Acrylics
The other method for painting candles is to use artist acrylics paints. Artist acrylics are water based and quite easy to use.
Squeeze the paint out of the tube onto a paper plate and dip a wet paint brush into it. Paint on the candle.
When the candle burns, the paint will not burn; artist acrylics are safe to use on candles. The paint also will not be spent like wax. It will simply melt down with the top of the candle, and there will be paint along with the unburnt wax when the candle is burnt out.
Some professional candle makers do not like the use of artists acrylics due to the fact that they do not melt away the same as wax. Others prefer the finished look of wax on wax.
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