Learn how to paint with spray cans

Spray painting is fun, a lot is happening in a short time and you can create whatever you want through the color flow which is controlled by your index finger! But the spray paint can be a rather blunt tool on a 20x30cm canvas. I had tried some graffiti in my teens, so when I started spray painting again after 20 years I benefited from those days. But making a painting is a completely different thing. Getting to know the pressure in the spray can by practicing on cardboard is a good start and it will take some time to learn to control the flow. I now mostly use mixed media where I combine spray and acrylic paint to get more structure in the image.

The gas pressure that drives the paint out of the jar is often difficult and needs to be controlled! The pressure on the index finger, the distance to the canvas and the movement of the hand must interact in order for you to have good control. Preferably buy spray cans intended for artist use, since they usually have a lower pressure which will make it easier to use on smaller surfaces. Compared to if you for instance buy paint intended for vehicles, etc. Today there is really good water-based paint that you actually can use indoors since it has no smell and does not contain hazardous fumes. “MTN waterbased” is a good alternative but there are more options in your hobby shop. There are also a plethora of "caps" (nozzles) to choose from that you can buy to get a narrow / wide beam, but we will wait with that a bit, and I think it is your hand that is your most important tool.

When you start to feel comfortable with the spray can, you can create a simple painting: spray different colors so that you fill the canvas with a background. Then you can put on a template or silhouette that you cut out of photo paper or bought ready-made. Put some weight on the silhouette so that the spray does not creep under it. Then choose a color, preferably a contrast color to the color you used as a basis. Fill the entire canvas and finish by spraying (press gently) white mist on the silhouette (then the white will settle like a shimmer around the silhouette).

Now you can lift up your dolphin, heart or whatever that it was you made and hopefully you have a beautiful painting for the wall. Pyramids, planets, or abstract creations - you can learn it all with practice. I usually say that it is more about emotion than technology when you spray paint, but much can be learned from Youtube where fantastically talented spray artists have channels.