Candles are an excellent item for decoration, thanks to the large selection of different sizes and shapes. Is it possible to paint candles with acrylic paints? Of course you can! Artistic painting, spraying, and the “point to point” technique look good on the surface of the candle. It all depends on the artist’s intention.
Most often, such candles are used as decorative interior decoration. But this does not mean at all that you should deny yourself the pleasure of lighting a beautiful candle, for example, on a holiday table. Today we will tell and show how candles painted with acrylic or contours behave when burned.
We take two candles for our experiment. One is completely painted with “Decolor” Red Gold, and the second is painted with elements of dot painting using contours and golden “Glitter”.
Let's light our candles.
After some time, changes begin to occur. The fully painted gold candle begins to melt under the layer of acrylic paint, and its top begins to sag slightly.
Candle with dot painting. When the flame reaches the outlines, it slightly scorches them because the design comes too close to the wick. However, no unpleasant odor appears. When the paraffin under the “dots” becomes liquid, they simply settle into it.
This completes the experiment with dot painting on a candle. No more changes, fires or spectacular effects. Dots of contours and curls of glitter float in the melted paraffin, shimmering and rolling in it.
The golden candle burns differently. Acrylic adheres to the melted paraffin with a dense, solid film, holding it inside, preventing it from flowing down the edges of the candle.
As a result, after a long burning time (about six hours), the candle wick simply drowned in so much liquid paraffin and went out. If this were an artistic painting made from separate strokes of paints of different colors, then the acrylic film would not be so solid and would allow the paraffin to drain.
You can also allow the paraffin to drain if you carefully trim the paint film with scissors during the burning process to the current height.
So, we found out that burning candles painted with acrylic paints and outlines is quite safe: the paints do not ignite, do not smoke, and do not emit an unpleasant odor. So have fun decorating candles with acrylic, give them as gifts and feel free to use them for their intended purpose.
Next week we will look at what happens when using decoupage decorated candles.
Painting with acrylic paints
The most affordable material for painting candles is acrylic paints, which are known for their versatility and paint well on almost any surface. Using acrylic paints on candles, you can create quite complex multi-color drawings with smooth color transitions, using basic painting techniques.
The paints are mixed on a palette, which can be used as an ordinary white earthenware plate. To apply a picture and obtain a variety of pictorial effects, various hair brushes are used - round and flat.
An interesting technique is in which paint of different colors is applied to the two halves of the tip of a wide flat brush, and then with one stroke, lines and shapes (petals, leaves, etc.) are created on the candle with a smooth transition from one color to another. This way you can achieve natural volume and depth of the picture.
However, sometimes water-based paints do not adhere well to the surface of a candle, so in some cases, before starting the painting process, the candle is wiped with a cloth soaked in an alcohol solution, and a little detergent is added to the paint.
There is another, much more professional means that allows you to easily apply paint to a surface - varnish for decorating candles, which increases the adhesive properties of paints (i.e., improves the adhesion of paint particles to wax or paraffin). This is a special non-flammable water-based varnish, which contains acrylates and paraffin. Due to its composition, the varnish does not smoke or emit an odor when the candle burns.
Varnish is applied to the surface of the candle before painting. Then it is allowed to dry and the candle is painted with acrylic paints. After the paint layer has dried, another layer of varnish is applied to the candle, which securely fixes the design. In addition, such varnishes give the surface of the candle various additional effects - glossy, silky and others.
Painting with special contours
To make ornaments, arabesques and inscriptions on candles, it is very convenient to use special contour paints for candles on a liquid wax base. They also have a specially selected composition that makes them non-flammable and non-smoking. The applied pattern melts along with the wax as the candle burns.
Painting is done directly with the narrow tip of a tube of contour paint, which is convenient for drawing and writing, like a regular pencil. In this case, you need to press lightly on the tube so that the paint spreads evenly over the design. Once the painting is completed, the paint is allowed to dry for 24 hours and a layer of candle varnish is applied.
Pencil paint leaves a thin voluminous mark, which creates an additional beautiful relief effect. Mixing such paints is not very convenient; moreover, they have a pasty consistency, so they cannot be used to create a realistic pictorial drawing on a candle.
Mixed techniques can also be used in painting candles: a pictorial drawing with acrylic paints is perfectly complemented by an ornament or inscription applied with a liquid wax outline.
In this master class you will learn how to make thin black wax candles with your own hands at home.
They look like church ones. Black candles represent cleansing and regeneration and are often used in white magic. Unlike paraffin, wax is a natural product. Working with him is easy and pleasant. The technique of making thin candles is simple and does not require skills, so the pleasure of working is guaranteed! If you do not color the mixture, you will end up with ordinary candles.
Preparing materials for work
To make black candles, you will need the following materials and tools:
- natural beeswax or regular church wax candles. The second option was used in the master class;
- black shoe polish based on beeswax;
- aluminium foil;
- melting container;
- water bath;
- stirring stick;
- cotton thread No. 30 (for wick).
If you want to do it yourself beautiful decorative candles, then take a look at ours. We have shaped paraffin and gel products for any occasion.
Step-by-step manufacturing instructions
Break the wax into small pieces and place in a small container.
Do not throw away the remaining wicks from the candles - they will be needed for reuse!
To obtain a rich shade, black shoe polish based on beeswax is suitable. A product of this composition will dissolve without leaving behind lumps or streaks.
Squeeze approximately 1 teaspoon of shoe polish into the container containing the wax pieces.
To melt, place the container in a bowl of water. Place the bowl on the stove and turn the heat to medium. Melt the lumps in a water bath until the wax and shoe polish are completely mixed and dissolved.
If you are using store-bought candles as the material, you can skip the description of making the wick.
To make wicks for wax candles with your own hands, you will need threads. Only suitable for this natural 100% cotton threads, without any synthetic inclusions. Otherwise, the wick will spark and burn out in a matter of seconds. You can also use jute, hemp and other materials of this kind for these purposes. They are completely natural and will burn normally.
Cut the threads into pieces approximately 1 meter long. Twist wicks from these pieces into 5-6 threads about 15-20 cm long.
Dip these pieces into the melted mass for 1-2 seconds and place them on a piece of paper. Wait until they dry.
Tear off a sheet approximately 20-25 cm long from the foil.
Make something like a lid with low sides from this sheet.
Pour the melted wax into the middle of this design.
Wait until the mixture cools down a little. After that, cut it into strips 1.5-2 cm wide.
Take one of the strips.
Separate the foil from its bottom. It comes off very easily.
Place the wick on the bottom of the strip and lightly press it into the wax mass.
Place the strip on a flat surface. Carefully wrap it around the wick.
After this, begin to roll the mass over the table like a sausage made of dough.
You should get products like this.
Using the sharp end of a knife, trim the black wax candle where you can see its bottom. Using the blunt end of a knife, cut off the excess at the top of the product: this will remove the excess without damaging the wick.
Black candles are ready!
Similarly, you can make colored or uncolored wax candles with your own hands. You can also practice sculpting and make shaped wax products to decorate your room.
It is believed that black wax candles cleanse rooms of bad energy. Just light a candle in the house, not forgetting about safety precautions.
Handmade is gaining more and more popularity. Extravagant jewelry, paintings, toys, decorative elements, gifts - this is just a small part of what passionate craftsmen and amateurs create with their own hands. Today we will talk about how to make a candle at home.
This process does not require special skills or equipment. After reading our recommendations and detailed master classes, even beginners can begin this exciting process.
CREATING A CANDLE: WHERE TO START
Making your own candles is much easier than you might think. And the main advantage of such an activity is that the necessary materials are easily accessible. If you look hard enough, you can even find them in your home.
MATERIALS FOR HOMEMADE CANDLES
Wax, stearin or paraffin are best suited for the job. Moreover, it is better for beginners to start getting acquainted with the latter; it is the least demanding to use. You can buy paraffin at the store or use leftover old white candles.
WICK
It is best to use natural threads as a wick, ideally thick cotton ones. Do not try to use synthetic wicks: such wicks will burn quickly and leave behind an unpleasant odor. To check if the thread is natural, simply set fire to its tip. If it melts, forming a hard ball at the end, you have synthetics.
If you have an unusual candle in mind and are thinking about how to make an original wick for it, then use colored floss threads. This is an excellent and natural material.
Remember an important rule: the thicker the candle, the thicker the wick should be.
It's easy to make it yourself. To do this, prepare a solution: dissolve 1 tablespoon of salt and 2 tablespoons of boric acid in a glass of water. Soak cotton thread or floss in it for 12 hours. Then dry them and twist them into a rope or braid them.
If you find this process tedious, carefully remove the wick from your finished household candle and use it.
CANDLE Mold
First of all, decide on the configuration of the desired candle, and then try to find a hollow object of the same shape. You may find it useful:
Cardboard bags for milk and juices;
. plastic cups for yoghurts and desserts;
. egg shells;
. silicone baking molds;
. glass goblets, wine glasses, glasses and glasses;
. baby beads;
. shaped ice cream molds;
. tin and glass coffee jars;
. empty tin cans.
The only requirement is that the mold material must withstand heating up to 100°C.
Another interesting option is to pour candles into beautiful transparent glasses. You won’t be able to get them, but they will look very stylish and unusual.
Sometimes scented candles are made in tangerine or orange peel. The fruit is first cut in half and the pulp is carefully removed. You can also use large shells or coconut shells.
DYES
A white candle is elegant but boring. Naturally, the question arises of how to color paraffin in order to obtain bright interior decorations.
For lovers of candle making, the best and cheapest option is to take wax crayons for children's creativity. Want to get a special candle? Look for pearlescent crayons - your creation will be unique.
Do not try to use water-soluble gouache or watercolor - you will fail. The dye will inevitably settle to the bottom or fall out in flakes. The finished product will look very unpresentable.
Utensils for melting paraffin
In order to melt the paraffin, you will need a small saucepan for a steam bath and an iron bowl. Experienced craftsmen recommend heating paraffin in a steam bath, considering other methods, including the microwave, to be fire hazardous.
To begin with, we recommend that you also use this method, proven over the years: place a bowl of paraffin in a container of boiling water. If you plan to have a colored candle, add the chalk immediately and stir the melted mass several times to obtain a uniform color.
FLAVORS AND DECOR
Any available materials are suitable for decorating candles. First, decide on the topic of your work. Pebbles and shells will effectively complement marine-style candles. For a New Year's theme, use beads, small cones, small decorative balls, ribbons and bows. Decorate Valentine's Day candles with hearts, sparkles, bows, dried flowers, coffee beans, etc.
It is best to scent homemade candles with essential oils, which can be purchased at your nearest pharmacy. Another option is to find vanilla cinnamon in your kitchen. You should add flavors to the melted paraffin at the very end, after coloring.
STEP-BY-STEP MASTER CLASSES
We bring to your attention a selection of accessible master classes that will help beginners learn basic techniques and techniques. If you already know how to create candles with your own hands, you can draw interesting ideas from them to implement in your creativity.
We invite you to create heart-shaped candles that will be an unforgettable gift for your significant other for Valentine's Day or birthday.
Watch a detailed video of creating a fragrant coffee candle and you will see that everything is even simpler than it seems at first glance.
RAINBOW CANDLES
Want to add a pop of color to your home? Handmade interior rainbow candles will help you with this.
To make them you will need the following ingredients:
. paraffin;
. stearin;
. wick;
. cylindrical shape;
. dyes corresponding to the colors of the rainbow.
You will receive more detailed information from a detailed video tutorial. For beginning craftsmen, it shows all the stages of preparing candle mass and creating a gradient transition of colors.
COLORFUL CANDLES IN LAYERS
Spectacular multi-colored candles in a transparent glass will become the highlight of your interior. How to make them, see our master class, illustrated with step-by-step photos.
Materials
Before you make colored candles with your own hands, prepare:
Transparent wax;
wax pencils;
disposable paper cups;
glass cups;
wicks;
ice cream sticks;
aroma oils;
microwave oven;
grater
Step 1. Grate regular transparent wax and fill paper cups with the resulting material. They only need to be filled a quarter full with this material.
Step 2: Microwave the cup for 45 seconds. Get it out. Mix the wax with a wooden stick. It should melt completely; if this does not happen, place the glass in the oven for another 30 seconds.
Step 3. Place the wick in an empty glass cup. You can attach the other end to an ice cream stick and place it on the top of the cup. This will make it easier for you to continue working. Pour some wax into the glass and wait until it sets. Thus, the wick should be fixed in the center of the cup.
Step 4: Remove the paper wrapping from the wax crayons. Grate them and add the desired color of crayons into separate cups with wax. Add shavings of one pencil to a third of a glass of wax to get a fairly rich color.
Step 5. Place the glass of colored wax in the microwave for 2.5 minutes. Take it out and, stirring, add a few drops of your chosen aromatic oil. You don't have to do this, but with oil your candles will emit a pleasant aroma.
Step 6. While holding the wick, pour the first layer of colored wax into the glass. To get an interesting pattern, tilt the glass at an angle and hold it in this position until the wax sets.
Step 7. In the same way, melt cups with wax of a different color and also, but at the opposite angle, pour them one by one into a glass cup. Fix the container in different positions each time until the wax sets.
Step 8. After forming a multi-colored candle, let the wax cool completely.
Bright and unusual candles are ready. You can use them for their intended purpose or give them to friends as souvenirs.
SOURCE: http://www.rukikryki.ru/
Another interesting idea is a square multi-color candle. Wax pencils are also used to color it. If you are a beginner, be sure to check out the clear video tutorial, with its help you can easily make such a cool craft as a gift for friends and family.
OPEN CANDLES
Decorative candles can be of the most varied designs, because talented craftsmen never tire of amaze with their imagination and creative experiments. To confirm these words, we invite you to familiarize yourself with the method of making an unusual openwork candle.
To work you will need:
. paraffin;
. optional coloring and flavoring;
. wick and holder for it;
. cylindrical shape;
. small ice cubes.
Melt the paraffin in a water bath. If the candle is supposed to be colored, color the candle mass; if desired, you can also scent it.
Place the wick in the mold so that it reaches the bottom. Don't forget to secure it on top with an improvised holder. Fill with crushed ice, not reaching a couple of centimeters from the edges.
Pour the melted candle mass into the mold. Leave the workpiece until the paraffin has cooled completely. In this case, naturally, the ice will melt, and cavities will form inside the candle.
Carefully drain the water and remove the product by pulling the wick.
Be careful, this beauty is quite fragile and requires careful handling. This unusual openwork candle will be a wonderful gift for your family and friends. If you use paraffin from old candles for your work, you will get this beauty completely free.
You will receive visual instructions for action from detailed videos of creating openwork candles. After viewing them, you can make such beauty yourself at home.
Video #1:
Video #2:
Option No. 3: And if you are wondering what to give your friends for the New Year, then surprise them with a handmade red openwork candle. It will be an unforgettable gift and will bring a holiday feeling and Christmas mood to your home. Watch the master's work and be inspired by your own masterpieces.
MASSAGE CANDLES
The main ingredient for creating a massage candle is soy wax. By adding useful components to it, you can get a product that has healing properties. It is no longer a decoration, but a homemade cosmetic product that makes the skin soft and well-groomed.
Healing properties of essential oils:
Lemon essential oil will help rejuvenate your skin and cleanse your pores.
. Orange oil has an anti-cellulite effect.
. Rose oil stimulates the regeneration of skin cells and promotes skin elasticity.
. Rosemary oil can clear the skin of pigment spots and make it smooth.
. Patchouli oil does a great job of moisturizing.
. Lavender oil will delight you with its healing effect.
Solid vegetable oils are also added to massage candles. For example, cocoa butter is used to moisturize and tone the skin. And with its regular use, cosmetologists promise you smooth and soft skin.
Exotic shea butter can save dry skin from flaking. Coconut oil, rich in natural antioxidants, can smooth the skin.
General algorithm for creating a massage candle:
1. melt the wax with solid oils in a water bath;
2. let the mixture cool slightly and add liquid oils;
3. Cool the mass a little more and add essential oils, extracts and vitamins;
4. pour the resulting candle mass into the mold, after inserting the wick into it;
5. Wait for the candle to completely harden and remove it from the mold;
6. The hardened candle is ready for use.
We offer you the most common recipes for effective massage candles.
Recipe No. 1
Soy wax - 85%;
. avocado and shea butter (aka shea butter) - 5% each;
. patchouli essential oil - 2.8%;
. ylang-ylang essential oil - 2%;
. vitamin E - 0.2% (a few drops).
Light the finished candle and let it melt a little. Put it out. Put some warm wax on your hand and you can treat yourself to a rejuvenating massage session. Don't be afraid to get burned - the melting point of such a candle is much lower than a paraffin candle.
Recipe No. 2 “Massage candle with a calming effect”
Soy wax - 80g;
. shea butter - 40g;
. almond oil - 40g;
. cocoa butter - 20g;
. essential oils of sage and lavender - 2 g each.
A massage session with such candles is best done before bed. The calming effect of essential oils will help you relax and sleep soundly.
Recipe No. 3 “Massage candle with anti-cellulite effect”
Beeswax - 100g;
. cocoa butter - 60g;
. ground chili pepper - 5-10g;
. essential oils of orange and grapefruit - 3 g each.
Make sure you are not allergic to any of the ingredients in the candle. After the massage, you may feel a burning or tingling sensation, which is due to the presence of chili in the composition.
Regular massage will help get rid of the hated “orange peel” and make the skin soft and elastic.
WE DECORATE CANDLES USING DECOUPAGE TECHNIQUE
If you don’t have dye, but want to create something bright and memorable, don’t worry. The simplest candle made from cinders can be turned into a work of art. To do this, you need to have a little patience and decorate the product to your liking.
CANDLE DECORATED WITH DRIED FLOWERS
Dried leaves, stems and flowers will help you create an exclusive candle that will be almost impossible to repeat. The use of natural materials is limited only by the local flora and your imagination. This is when the ability to collect a herbarium will come in handy.
*photo by Lyudmila Klimova
To work you will need:
. any dried flowers;
. 2 candles - for decoration and a regular one;
. tea spoon;
. tweezers;
. nail scissors;
. paraffin for final coating.
From the dried flowers you have available, create a composition that you want to bring to life.
Heat a teaspoon over a regular burning candle (with the inner side over the fire, since the spoon will turn a little black, and in order not to stain the candle, we will then carry out all manipulations with the other side of the spoon).
Place a dry flower on the candle to be decorated and gently stroke its petals with the outside of a spoon so that they melt into the paraffin and do not stick out. Thick stems may need to be ironed several times while heating the spoon.
Carefully trim off any excess stems that extend beyond the candle with scissors.
Glue the remaining elements in the same way, choosing the desired location for them. Make sure that the edges of the leaves and petals do not stick out.
All that remains is to consolidate the result. Melt the paraffin in a water bath and pour it into a container into which you can completely dip the decorated candle.
Holding the candle by the wick, immerse it in melted paraffin, place it on a flat surface and let cool. If the petals were not smoothed well and protruding ends remain visible, repeat this procedure again.
Such an elegant candle will conquer any heart and will not go unnoticed. Complement it with a beautiful candlestick and it will become a unique decoration for your home.
DECOUPAGE CANDLES WITH PAPER NAPLES
The desire to decorate a candle could come instantly, but there are no dried flowers at hand. In this case, you can get by with paper napkins. With their help you can easily decorate a candle for any holiday.
Choose a napkin with the pattern you want. Cut out the necessary elements from a napkin. Carefully remove the bottom two layers of paper from the resulting blanks. Further, the principle of operation is similar to decorating with dried flowers.
Place the prepared element on the candle and iron it with a hot spoon. Sand the cooled surface with the rough side of a regular kitchen sponge. There is no need to immerse the candle in melted paraffin with this method.
Your masterpiece is ready. Make a beautiful composition of New Year's style candles, fir branches and colored balls. It will bring a good mood and a festive atmosphere to your home.
PHOTO DESIGN IDEAS
Want even more inspiration? Browse our selection of decorative candles. You will definitely find one that you want to repeat immediately.
We were able to convince you that it is possible to create unique masterpieces even from scrap materials? That is why candle making has become a favorite pastime for many, beginners and not only masters.
Original form templates:
Now you know what and how candles are made from, you can get to work. Don't try to use the photo you like as a template and an unconditional ideal. Be inspired by ready-made projects to create your own unique candles. A little effort and perseverance - and your masterpieces will become a standard to follow.
There are many options to make your candle unique. One of them is giving the candle color.
When I first started making candles, there wasn't much on hand as a candle dye. And most importantly, there was little literate stuff at hand. After all, mixing paraffin and dyes involves all sorts of chemical reactions, and you need to be careful with this.
Still, I wanted color. I started with gouache.
Bad, very bad. Fortunately, I don’t have a single candle painted this way. The fact is that it is almost impossible to paint candle mass with gouache: small particles of gouache settle to the bottom of the kindling, and even if you shake the paint a little when filling the mold with wax, it still settles. The result is a very pale shade, and this makes it cloudy and untidy.
I tormented the fragments of the candles for a long time, melting them over and over again until they turned into something ugly and dirty. I just decided to stop pouring paraffin for a while. Until I find a good alternative to the bad coloring.
One day I was simply visited by nostalgia (I still wanted to pour, even without normal dyes). And just to chance, I poured EARTH FROM A TANK OF FLOWERS into the melted wax!!! It looked funny, of course, a white candle with something dark visible at the bottom. At first glance, there seem to be no shortcomings. Especially when the candle doesn't burn :)
Very soon the fire reached the “earth” layer, and it began to smell like fertilizer. The melted wax began to hiss, and this is not very good for you and me. Because you never know, they could spit a mixture of hot paraffin and earth. Here, in the next photo you can clearly see how the wax hissed due to the super dye. Don't do this.
Part two, Optimistic.
And so, hurray, I didn’t look anywhere, but just remembered that I have wax crayons. Once upon a time I painted the walls of my room on Tulskaya. Since the crayons are wax, it means that by adding small pieces, you can color the candle mass.
These crayons can be found anywhere: in children's stores, in a bookstore, in a stationery store. Such things are produced by different companies, Crayola, for example. Boxes cost a maximum of 150 rubles. But I’ll tell you right away: look for cheaper, because it’s available. If you need anything, I can buy it for you for 70 of your rubles and give it to you in Moscow. In general, in Zelenograd you can find so many rare things and cheaper :) Come here, come visit :)
- To color your candle mixture, you only need a few mm of crayon.
- Some do not color the melted paraffin completely, but instead dip existing white candles into a colored wax/paraffin melt. The choice is yours! It's just a matter of convenience!
- In addition to single-color candles, you can also make multi-colored ones! Just pour the color into the mold not completely, wait until the first layer cools a little, and pour another layer. You need to wait so that the hot paraffin does not melt or stir the colors.
