Just in case you missed this article on handpainting signs the first time we shared it a couple of years ago, we are republishing it. After Sharon wrote this blog originally, we got an awesome response. This is one of the PYP Best Blogs!

I love the posters and signs with messages on them.  I love that you can customize and personalize them to fit you and your home.  I do prefer to paint things like this by hand, though, and often get asked about my method for hand painting, so I thought I would share it here.  I paint a lot and have been doing it for years;  it does take some practice, but I think this is a pretty foolproof method for handpainting signs, even for a beginner!

I start by printing out my finished words or design on the computer.  If it’s bigger than one piece of paper, I just tape them together.

Now, I scribble over the lines on the BACK of the paper with a pencil.  You could use actual carbon paper, but I just don’t see the point of the expense and mess when this works great.

Position the pattern where you want it.  Tape down the corners if you are afraid it will move around.  Use a pen or pencil – whatever is more comfortable to you – to trace the design onto the surface you will be painting.

Now you have a perfect outline.

Next step, I outline everything with a paint pen.  You can buy them at any craft store for a couple of dollars.  I don’t have a favorite brand; this is one that came from Michaels.

Here it is with the letters outlined.

Then begin filling it all in with craft paint and a small brush.  Depending on the color, quality of paint and surface you’re painting on, it will take 2-3 coats to get good coverage.

Use a small brush and the background color to clean up any mistakes.  When it is all dry, you can sand it to get a distressed look.

Handpainting signs is so much easier than it seems. It is a great way to create inexpensive decor and change things up for different holidays and season.  Here are a few more examples of how much fun handpainting signs can be: