White ball candles painted with lilacs

Wax House Journals with Betterbee Chandler, Mel Sandbrook: Beeswax Candle Painting 

If you’re looking for a relaxing crafting project, try your hand at some hand-painted beeswax candles! While you can start with items from our great selection of ready-made beeswax candles, or craft your own from start to finish when you choose a beeswax candle mold and start melting some beeswax — then let your creativity take over!

Candle painting supplies

I began my project with a beautiful large ball mold, a few other favorite shapes, and some white beeswax. You'll also need acrylic craft paints, a nice set of paintbrushes in various sizes, and "Paint Adhesion Medium" by DecoArt.

The Paint Adhesion Medium allows regular acrylic paints to stick nicely to the wax surface of the candles. Without this, your paint will flake and chip away — so protect your hard work from the start. Once you've got your supplies, you're ready to paint!

Various white candles with painting supplies

Painted candle ideas and inspiration

There are many painting tutorials online if you are looking for guidance or ideas for painting your candles. I chose some floral themes and even a pet portrait to show you how diverse you can be with your paintings.

I have always enjoyed trying various techniques that artists share on YouTube. It's amazing to see how a simple stroke of a brush with the right colors loaded on can create a petal or leaf with surprising depth. Learning these simple "one stroke" techniques will really be helpful for your candle painting project.

Here are a few pics of some ideas to try. Feel free to use our designs or create something of your very own. Try painting some candles for someone special, a shower, a wedding, or to create your own beautiful tablescape!

 

A pet portrait of your favorite fur baby 

Dog painted onto a white ball candle

Summer sunflowers painted on white wax large ball

Sunflower painted on a white wax large ball
 

I hope these projects have inspired the artist in you. Enjoy trying something new and exploring ideas and techniques for your candle-making.

-Mel