How to Make a Colorful, Rainbow-Inspired DIY Dripping Paint Shirt
In this tutorial, I will show you how to create a dripping paint shirt. All you need is a white shirt and fabric paints. This design can be painted on other kinds of clothing, such as t-shirts or sweatshirts. It’s really easy and also super-fun because we get to paint with our fingers! Let’s get started.
Tools and materials:
- Plain white shirt
- Cardboard
- Mannequin
- Paintbrush
- Fabric paint
1. Paint around the neck
I’m going to paint on a mannequin because it’s easier for me but feel free to work on a table. Don’t forget to place a piece of cardboard inside your shirt.
I’m going to use a fatter brush for painting. We’ll start with different shades of blue. We’re going to start on the top of the shirt and eventually get a rainbow paint drip shirt look.
I’m not using too much of each color. We want to blend these blues very lightly.
2. Add more color & blend
Now I’m going to add some purple. Try and blend the new colors into the existing ones. Next, we’re going to add some red and then yellow. You can see it start to come to life as we add the colors. Add your light and dark green next.
3. Create the dripping effect
Now, we’re going to create the dripping paint effect. Turn your brush so you can use the narrow side. You’re going to make it drip.
I decided to paint under the collar. I think it will look better that way.
4. Splatter the paint
So next you’re going to make a bit of a splatter effect. Use your fingers and flick the brush so that the color splatters onto the shirt.
5. Paint with fingers
Ok, here comes the fun part. Use your fingers to fill in sections and make the dripping more beautiful. Allow yourself to get into this part. Let the inner kid come out.
6. Continue on the back of the shirt
We’re going to turn the shirt over and paint the back. What I do is continue the same pattern and colors onto the back. I love this look of a shirt with dripping paint. It’s so unique and fun.
Dripping paint shirt tutorial
There you have it. A dripping paint shirt that’s sure to stand out. There are so many great DIY-painted shirt ideas you could make by using this technique. Let me know your thoughts on the colorful shirt in the comments below!
The author may collect a small share of sales from the links on this page.
Comments
Join the conversation
Cool! Thanx for sharing!
It's gorgeous, but am wondering if your final pic taken is BEFORE it's been washed as I've seen this kind of work and it REALLY fades over a couple of washes. Any suggestions other than "cool" water, hand dry, etc.?
I think I will try this. Is there anything you need to do to "set" the paint?