How to Paint a Galaxy Easily using Acrylic Pouring

There’s something about space that is so magical, especially galaxies. They’re so ethereal and beautiful. It may be impossible to experience this in person in our lifetime, but I’m going to take you through three methods of how you can explore space by painting the night sky, even as a beginner, specifically how to paint a galaxy easily using acrylic pouring.

Three different methods of how to paint a galaxy

If you’ve ever wondered, “How do you paint a galaxy step by step?” this is the tutorial for you! And if you’ve ever watched some of the galaxy painting tutorials out there and thought, “Yeah, but how do you paint a galaxy WITHOUT A SPONGE?” this is REALLY the right tutorial for you!

The three methods of creating a galaxy that I will be going through step by step are:

Dutch Pour
Open-cup Pour
Flip-cup Pour

If you’re pouring for the first time and would like more explanation on materials, processes, and terms, you can head on over to my Beginner’s Guide to Acrylic Pouring. You can also head over to my Comprehensive Guide to Acrylic Pouring Techniques for more information on all of the different techniques.

What colors do you need to make a galaxy painting?

For each of these galaxy paintings, I used the same color pallet and applied the paints in generally the same color order. The only major difference between the paintings is the pouring technique that I used.

I think colors are very important when painting a galaxy and are generally on the cooler end of the spectrum. (If you’re curious about colors and color theory as it relates to acrylic pouring, head on over to my post about Choosing Colors for Acrylic Pouring and grab your FREE printable Color Wheel and Color Scheme Guides.)

No matter what colors you choose for your galaxy, I think it’s helpful to create a seamless piece if they range in shade from dark to light gradually. So I have a couple dark colors, the black and the navy, and then some medium shades in the blues and violet, and some lighter shades with the neons and silver, ending with a smidge of white as a highlight.

You will want black to be the main color running throughout your piece, with lacing and cells of different colors to get that galaxy effect. To achieve this we put down a generous base coat of black and also use it amongst the colors.

Materials You Will Need to Paint a Galaxy with Acrylic Pouring:

Paints:

Master’s Touch Permanent Black
Master’s Touch Ultramarine Blue
Artist’s Loft Light Violet
Liquitex Basics Quinacridone Magenta
Artist’s Loft Neon Pink
Artist’s Loft Neon Pink
Artist’s Loft Silver
Artist’s Loft Titanium White
Navy Blue (Master’s Touch Permanent Black mixed with Master’s Touch Ultramarine Blue)
Violet (Master’s Touch Ultramarine Blue mixed with Liquitex Basics Quinacridone Magenta)

Medium:

Floetrol,
Water

Canvas:

8in x 10in canvas

Tools:

Cylinder: A cup with the bottom cut out or a toilet paper tube works well.
Hairdryer with narrowing nozzle.
Fan paint brush or old toothbrush.
Something to spread paint with. I used a pallet knife this time, but you can use a spackle knife, an old credit card, anything that will spread the paint.
Torch (optional)

How to Paint a Galaxy Method 1: Open-cup Pour

Cover your canvas, including the sides, with a generous coat of black paint.
Place your cylinder in the center of the canvas.
Add your colored paint to the cylinder. The order I added colors was: black, navy blue, violet, blue, black. light violet, magenta, neon pink, silver, white, black.
Pour more black paint around your cylinder.
Slowly release the paint from your cylinder.
Tilt your painting as you see fit.
If, like mine, your colors are hidden under the black, use your pallet knife, finger, old credit card, etc. to swipe some of the paint.
Continue to tilt until you are satisfied.
Flick some watered down white paint from your fan brush or toothbrush onto the canvas for stars. I found that rather than waving the brush, it was best if I actually flicked the brush over the canvas.
Use your pallet knife or whatever you want to clean up anything and make sure that you are happy with your painting.

How to Paint a Galaxy Method 2: Dutch Pour

Cover your canvas, including the sides, with a generous coat of black paint.
Add your colored paint to the center of the canvas, layering your colors in the same puddle. The order I added colors was: black, navy blue, blue, violet, black, magenta, light violet, neon pink, neon blue, silver, white, black.
Pour more black paint around your puddle of colors.
Use your hairdryer to push the black paint on the outside of your puddle over colored paint in the puddle. Blow the paint from the outside in toward the center.
Now take the hairdryer and blow the paint outward from the center, catching the colors and spreading them outward. Continue this process until you are satisfied with your painting.
Flick some watered down white paint from your fan brush or toothbrush onto the canvas for stars. I found that rather than waving the brush, it was best if I actually flicked the brush over the canvas.
Use your pallet knife or whatever you want to clean up anything and make sure that you are happy with your painting.

How to Paint a Galaxy Method 3: Flip-cup Pour

Cover your canvas, including the sides, with a generous coat of black paint.
Add your colored paint to your flip-cup. The order I added colors was: navy blue, blue, violet, black, magenta, silver, neon pink, light violet, neon blue, white, black.
Flip your cup onto your canvas and release the paint when you are ready.
Tilt your painting until you are happy with the outcome.
Flick some watered down white paint from your fan brush or toothbrush onto the canvas for stars. I found that rather than waving the brush, it was best if I actually flicked the brush over the canvas.
Use your pallet knife or whatever you want to clean up anything and make sure that you are happy with your painting.

Go Forth and Pour!

That’s all there is to it! Now you no longer need to wonder how to paint the Milky Way, you’ve got this!! I seriously can’t pick a favorite because I love them all soooo much! And I actually liked them even more when the colors were toned down due to drying.

Even if you’re a beginner to acrylic pouring, follow these easy steps and make a beautiful galaxy to hang in your home, completely DIY!

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How to Paint a Galaxy Easily using Acrylic Pouring

What colors do you need to make a galaxy painting?